Shalva – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Summer nights in Jerusalem when the streets come alive

August 2, 2026August 2, 2026Sharon A

Israel is in the midst of a heat wave.

During the Middle Eastern summers, Jerusalem is usually cooler at night.

Staying in during the day and venturing out at night is how I see the Jerusalem streets.

The lights of the Old City illuminated in the distance over the Sultan’s Pool are a favorite.

Turn around on the footbridge over Hevron Road and see

the lights of the Scottish St. Andrew’s Church towering over the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

Another interesting interview in the Begin Center Prime Ministers series was held Sunday night.

Herzl Makov not only worked with Begin but also served as the Center’s founder and CEO.

Look for the recorded informative series online.

Summer in Jerusalem and it’s festival season again. Too many events to attend them all!

Leaving the Wolt delivery motorcycle in the photo of the construction on the new entrance to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

As slow as the construction seems, that is how fast and frequent those food deliveries are.

The Botanical Gardens is hosting another summer-themed event for families – Magic in the Forest.

The pond is filled with lilies,

and as temperatures rise, even the birds are slowing down.

The Jerusalem Botanical Garden has expanded greatly over the years.

Another location that has changed over the years is the old Shaare Zedek Hospital on Jaffa Road.

Not in use as a hospital for decades, it has now temporarily become a home for the Jerusalem Biennale art exhibits.

Wednesday was opening night for “Only Briefly.” Mindy Weisel is curator of the solo exhibition by Amy Gelb.

This piece with three layers of soft fabric hangs close to the wall, so it was difficult to photograph.

People gathered to support the American artist with her show in Jerusalem.

I had not been back in a while and also noted the restored ceiling of the former synagogue of the hospital, which has been given new life as a cultural center.

The highlight of the week was our family celebration of 20 years in Israel at the Shalva National Center.

The Shalva entrance lobby is full of color, butterflies, hearts, and messages.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”

Our excellent dairy dinner did not disappoint; everything was spotless and spot-on.

“Memory and hope light the way” – Lianne, Noiya, and Yahel Sharabi – new in the lobby, where Eli Shrabi participated in the dedication.

Shalva is one example of improving the world from a personal challenge.

Written on the walls are words of wisdom: When you love what you have, you have everything you need.

When nothing goes right… go left.

Good things take time.

Do not judge my story by the chapter you walked in on.

I caught one little guy in the hallway.

They all have a long way to go.

May they and we all go, building better and stronger, in good health.

Jerusalem’s Steps to Future

October 30, 2022October 30, 2022Sharon A

With the holidays over and tourists returning home, one might think Jerusalem streets would be quieter this past week.

Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you would know that was incorrect.

The week started off slowly enough to appreciate the Jerusalem autumn colors while walking to the VERT Hotel for a conference.

But oh the new impressive views at the end of the week!

The olive trees are full of ripe olives, ready for picking.

The flowers by the garden established in memory of Sarah Herzog were in full bloom, bursting with color in the midday sun before the rain started.

The 23rd Oud Festival is one of the many events happening in November.

The Jerusalem nature strips and traffic circles were cleared and now new flowers are being planted along the Jerusalem streets.

Small areas were busy with gardeners working to beat the rain.

One shmita sign was still up.

But drivers nearby watched the new planting, which started as soon as the holidays ended.

New flowers line the Bloomfield Garden near the Montefiore Windmill.

And work on King David Street appears to be completed – at least for now.

A bigger landscaping project is now happening at the new National Library.

With the construction fences removed, the campus is now being developed.

Israel National Library cranes with Knesset in background

Remember when this was cleared and just a huge hole in the ground 3 years ago?

Jerusalem Israel construction new National Library

Located across from the Knesset, extensive work has gone on for years.

There is still more to do, but an end appears in sight.

The renovation work has finally started at the Prime Minister’s Residence which was unused for the past year. With a November 1st election day, maybe soon it will have an Israeli Prime Minister living there again.

The Wohl Rose Garden has big signs lining the road to say that it’s closed.

The estimated completion is set for December 2023, so that means no nature photo walks there for quite some time.

However, who remembers the construction fence near the Gerald Behar Center? It was exciting to see the workers finally above ground in 2019.

On Thursday, the Sam Spiegel School of Film and Television opened its new building in the cultural complex, a project started under Mayor Nir Barkat.

I got Mayor Moshe Lion to smile at the morning dedication.

The mandatory ribbon cutting was a big red one, along with the red carpet.

The Jerusalem Mayor attached the mezuzah to the door.

One student smiled when handed a notepad with his photo on the cover – perfect for his grandmother he said.

There were dozens of other photos of students on these notepads too.

The film equipment, library work areas, theaters, everything excelled over the old Talpiot location of the past 3 1/2 years.

But as we went up the stairs in the seven-story building, the views became more exciting. Imagine having the city of Jerusalem as the backdrop in student lounges–the real thing, not a photograph.

With each new view as we went up, it was hard not to snap more photos!

And finally, we were on the roof of the new Sam Spiegel School.

From the roof, you see the VERT Hotel and the Chord Bridge in the distance, but look at all those new buildings that have gone up!

And as this busy week came to an end, I was at the Shalva Building.

There the stairs offer an important message – “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the FIRST STEP.”

Hard remembering the steps, and the years involved, as we see a few of Jerusalem’s major projects coming to completion. As Israel approaches 75, Jerusalem combines the old with the new.

Getting out and appreciating the sunset was a good way to start a busy week. The tour at Sam Spiegel was a great way to end on a high.

Looking forward to seeing you soon on the busy Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem Marathon Highlights

March 20, 2019Sharon A

Early Friday morning on March 15, 2019, 40,000 runners filled the Jerusalem, Israel, streets for the 9th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon.

Thousands from around the world came to run in the full marathon and other races.

Streets were closed for these athletes with blue tags for full marathon.

The full Jerusalem marathon runners seemed to keep coming.

Emergency teams were in place, but I did not hear any reports of serious injury.

Some of the runners dressed up as superheroes.

Oops, this motorcycle lead for the half marathon first place went by so quickly.

I missed him coming, and only got a shot after he whizzed past.

But second place was not far behind and here he is coming into the home stretch.

This year I decided to take fewer photos, so I missed the rest of the half marathon runners.

International media covered the event, here is one doing an interview in Arabic.

The flags of the eighty participating countries are flying along the route to starting line. This year for the first time there was a Syrian flag.

Heavy rains the day before of the marathon blocked view of Jaffa Gate.

Mayor Moshe Lion and dignitaries had to pose inside with elite runners.

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, was one big mud patch, but the sun was shining and temperature cool and pleasant for the races.

Key areas were covered, like this area near the stage where the first place medals were awarded.

The Jerusalem Marathon is always more than a competition for the fastest running.

Team Shalva had teen participants from US schools, among its hundreds of supporters. Shalva raises large sums each year from this event.

Other nonprofits and charities had teams and booths in the park.

Teams from Camp HASC and AMIT, and over 100 good causes, come year after year.

One new team this year was Lion of Tzion. These young people organized to run to raise money to buy a food truck in memory of Ari Fuld z”l to take food and treats to IDF soldiers.

Trampolines were set up in the park as one of the activities for families, and at an early hour it was not crowded.

But in spite of weather the day before, and in spite of the mud in the park, runners and their supporters came.

For the new ninja, there was a long line waiting for a turn.

Media was waiting for the full marathon winner to arrive and cross the finish line.

There were two main finish lines, the one in the park was only for the full marathon,

while the long list of other races end at the other locations outside of the park.

This was the crowd waiting to greet the marathon winner.

New Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was ready at the finish line for a photo op.

Mayor Lion stood waiting for the winner, front and center.

So center, with the medal in his hand, the mayor blocked my view of both the first and second place finishers.

All the first place runners were from Kenya this year.

But there was more action at the starting lines and the other finish lines.

The starting line was out of the park and up the hill toward the Israel Museum and Knesset.

At the various starts there was a burst of energy and excitement.

For years I tried to get a photo of former Mayor Nir Barkat.

This year I did not try and there he was with the green tag to the right.

So many smiles and such excitement, this woman was with a group from Hong Kong.

Thousands waited for their starts, over and over, every 15 minutes for the 10K races.

There was also a special 5K track for a family friendly, slower paced walk.

The finish line for the 10K runners was impressive.

People were pushing baby strollers.

Also there were runners pushing wheelchairs in various races.

Seems each year, one person I find at start and finish. I was not looking for him this year, but there was Nir Barkat.

Runners were still arriving as people were slowly walking home.

Full marathon runners were arriving to Gan Sacher on this newly finished path.

Hundreds of volunteers were cleaning up thousands of water bottles along the route.

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon has become more than an annual sports competition.

Each year I go back, and say I will take fewer photos, but do not succeed.

Here are two examples of why I spend hours walking and sharing this event.

One their way to the midday family run, I met up with one family.

Big brother gave his medal for finishing the 5K run to his little brother.

And with all the tens of thousands of runners at the finish line, some seem more special.

Team spirit. Family spirit. A day of unity. Am Yisrael Chai.

Some smiles were more special than others, races were not about who came in first.

Finally – with posting this, my Jerusalem Marathon is over for this year.

Now time to get ready for next marathon!

Crazy Purim in Jerusalem, check out official events HERE

Are you up to more Jerusalem Marathon, check out photos HERE and HERE