Shelley Shem Tov

Watch as Jerusalem Streets fill with flags, festivals and flowers

Sharon A

May in Jerusalem, Israel, is when the weather goes from winter to summer, seemingly overnight.

One day you need boots and the next sandals and a hat to protect you from the sun.

The universities announce their honorees as their boards arrive for meetings.

Even with the war for over a year and a half, these annual events seem to be happening.

It’s “back to normal.”

For the arrival of US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, many mega-welcome events have taken place.

One was at the Friends of Zion Museum on Tuesday night, with Israeli flags lining the way for guests.

The FoZ Media Center was packed as Ambassador Huckabee received the Friend of Zion award menorah.

He ended his remarks – “After being in Israel so many times and going home, this time I am home.”

He also complimented his US Embassy staff, who have kept things going with multiple ambassadors, especially Deputy Head of Mission Stephanie Hallett, who was in the audience with her husband.

Omer Shem Tov and his family were also smiling. Omer, kidnapped on October 7, shared his ordeal: “I was 505 days in Gaza in captivity. When I was there, my belief in G-D came so strong, every day I woke up and thanked G-D that I have air in my lungs, a little food on my plate, and that my family is safe in Israel.”

However, also speaking at the event was Ilan Dalal, the father of Guy Gilboa Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival. He is still being held captive by Hamas, and his parents fight on for his release.

“Free the hostages now,” is hard to ignore on many Jerusalem streets.

But at the same time, signs are up for Education Week in Jerusalem, May 18-22, 2025.

The Jerusalem International Writers Festival and Book Forum is set for May 19-22.

Outside the new National Library of Israel

And first, this week is the National Library of Israel’s Conference: Marking 20 Years of the Historical Jewish Press Project, held over three days at the new campus.

Declaration Day - May 15 at the David Citadel Hotel

On May 14, Israel Forever Foundation is to host a ‘Declaration Day’ celebration in Jerusalem.

Large flags are still flying from private buildings as Jerusalem Day is to be celebrated on May 26th.

Some flags this year have a yellow ribbon in the blue star.

In Jerusalem, one has to move mountains of stone to build roads and the light rail.

It is good to see the May flowers along the Jerusalem streets to brighten the days.

But beware, with Lag B’Omer this week, the risk for fires from uncontrolled bonfires is huge.

Next year in Jerusalem.

Am Yisrael Chai!

New year, new beginnings in Jerusalem

Sharon A


Before sharing what is happening on the Jerusalem streets, one must first acknowledge the shocking and dramatic photos from California of the raging fires and destruction of entire neighborhoods.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from their homes for over a year. In northern Israel, destruction by Hezbollah rockets is starting to be cleared and regrowth is expected.

Hopefully, all will find some respite as their worlds were turned upside down and homes destroyed.

In Jerusalem, the streets are lined with construction projects as buildings continue to rise.

Construction cranes also surround a future sports field.

The newly opened, long-anticipated tunnels to Gush Etzion make driving to and from Jerusalem, a pleasure. Unless it’s rush hour then you need patience. It will be a while before the roads are finished with those extra lanes necessary because of all the traffic.

But this week I traveled to the other side of Jerusalem, and up into the hills at Neve Ilan for a conference.

Momentum Fellowship was holding its first conference for women in Israel and Hebrew.

Lori Palatnik started Momentum fifteen years ago to bring Jewish mothers to experience Israel. It has grown internationally to involve tens of thousands of women. Now Momentum has come to Israel.

The views were spectacular as the sun was setting,

and after sunset, from the deck area outside the hotel.

On a clear day, you can see not quite forever, but almost to the sea.

However, most of the time we were inside meeting, networking, and listening to impressive speakers.

Rabbanit Adina Bar-Shalom, the daughter of former Chief Rabbi Rishon LeZion Ovadya Yosef z”l, has led impressive initiatives in Haredi education. This diverse group of Israeli women listened as she spoke about the Haredi draft issue. Many did not agree with her but were respectful, they did not interrupt her.

Shelley Shem Tov, mother of hostage Omer Shem Tov, was not originally on the program. She has actively spoken out for her son’s release for well over a year.

You could hear a pin drop when she was speaking. Then as she tried to leave the hall, all the women in the room rose singing in one large circle, surrounding her, united and showing her support.

The hostages’ faces were on display for the three days of the conference, ending on Thursday afternoon.

Friday was the 10th of Tevet, which the Chief Rabbinate of Israel chose as a “General Kaddish Day” for the relatives of victims of the Holocaust and others, whose yahrzeit, the anniversary of their death, is unknown.

Interesting timing, one of the women brought these memorial candles from her organization to memorialize victims of the Nazis – so the world would know their names.

Oh it was an Israeli event, so the lyrics of the songs were displayed on the wall – Israeli style.

Thanks to Adi and Nathalie for this unique opportunity to participate in this inspirational conference.

While online connections are great, there is nothing like in-person meetings.

Now I need to keep up with all the fantastic ladies I met.

Stay tuned for what’s next!

Am Yisrael Chai!