Israeli Presidential Conference Tomorrow 2013

The Israeli Presidential Conference, Facing Tomorrow

was attended by 5000 people this year,

many coming from around the world to Jerusalem, Israel.

This year started with a special 90th birthday celebration

for President Shimon Peres serranaded by Barbra Streisand.

Opening night tickets were harder to get then to the Obama speech.

But the long program was available on-line to watch.

As the motorcades were finally going by after it ended,

and I was already getting into bed, 

I was sure I had had a great seat.

image Tony Blair

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair followed Shimon Peres,

photo President Bill Clinton in Jerusalem

and then former US President Bill Clinton entered the opening plenary.

cell phones as cameras image

Phones and cameras were out to catch 

photo Shimon Peres and Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton get the Israeli President’s special medal and award.

Over two days there were too many speakers and dignitaries to list.

I was disappointed that somehow I kept missing

Prince Albert of Monaco, but maybe I just did not recognize him?

A few of the most popular presenters included:

Dr David Augus image

Dr David Augus from California,

Dan Arielly image

Prof. Dan Arielly,

Image Ayaan Hirsi-Ali

and once again Ayaan Hirsh-Ali.

Image Yair Lapid

New to Israeli politics and this program was MK Yair Lapid. 

image cameras ready for Sharon Stone

But the serious press attendance and cameras came out

photo Sharon Stone

for Hollywood actress Sharon Stone,

photo Shimon Peres and Sharon Stone

Shimon Peres and Sharon Stone.

photo Robert DeNiro

And also from Hollywood Robert DeNiro.

Image Rav David Stav

Rav David Stav got a little attention in the halls.

John Baird image

At least Arutz 7 noticed John Baird, the Foreign Minister from Canada.

photo Manfred Gerstenfeld

 But how many paid attention to Manfred Gerstenfeld?

image Irwin Cotler

At least my friend was also excited to see Canadian Irwin Cotler.

Image Dr Ruth

And as always everyone was excited to be seen with Dr Ruth!

If you do not know all these names, take time to look them up,

 I decided not to link to poor Wiki information.

But what about this conference called Tomorrow,

when most of these names are so yesterday?

photo Tim Armstrong and Yussi VArdi

Tim Armstrong and Yossi Vardi may have come up with a new plan.

But, there were two things that really do stand out for tomorrow.

As at past conferences the Hebrew University exhibit,

image MRI exhibit

   was bigger and better, their brain research simply mind boggling.

But I would like to end with my favorite scene of Facing Tomorrow.

Image young men working on tech projects

These five young men, ages 15 to 19,

are already involved in tech and start-ups.

This time of year the real streets are so busy and full

of end of year graduations, from gan to University,

they are the real tomorrow.

Jerusalem, Yom HaShoah Remembered Here

As Yom Hashoah,

Holocaust Remembrance Day, began in Israel,

 US Secretary of State John Kerry was in the Middle East

again meeting with Abbas,

and

 Kassam rockets were again fired from Gaza into Israel.

While a select few attended the main ceremony at Yad Vashem,

thousands watched it live on television as

President Shimon Peres began his speech:

“The Holocaust will not sink into the dark hole of history.

It is here with us, burning, real…

Yom Hashoah picture, Holocaust photo

It floats like a ghost in the barracks of the camps.”

How does one choose a meaningful way to mark Yom Hashoah?

Image for Holocaust Remembrance

This sign on the wall outside of the Great Synagogue

Holocaust sign in Hebrew

and its counterpart in Hebrew shone brightly in the dark.

Israeli Knesset at night

The flag on the Knesset Building was lowered.

Restaurants closed their doors and locked their gates by 8:00 pm.

Where does one go?

This year Israel Forever, Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jerusalem Municipality

Holocaust remembrance day

sponsored an event that attracted hundreds of young people. 

Picture from Holocaust

After a slide presentation and slow music, 

photo of lighting candles Yom Hashoah

six large candles were lit

photo candle for Holocaust program

 in memory of the six million who died.

Crowd for Adopt a Safta

Then there was a minute of silence,

slowly and silently, the overcrowded,

Crowd for Holocaust program

 packed audience spontaneously rose to their feet.

It was an impressive sight.

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

The Facebook advert brought in hundreds of  young people 

Holocaust remembrance day

who wanted to take part in a meaningful way.

The Adopt a Safta program was then presented to the audience.

It could be an important “link” that President Peres spoke of,

a link of the generations, beneficial to all.

Yom Hashoah, here in Jerusalem, Israel

was a time to remember.

Picture of Yellow star Jews had to wear

Never again.

After the Holidays, What Now?

For months people have said “after the chagim

well, the time has now arrived and the holidays are over.

Yesterday the winter session of the Knesset began in Jerusalem, Israel,

only to shut down a few hours later, to prepare for elections in January.

Knesset

However, the lights were still on in the building when I went to sleep.

Over 40 rockets fired from Gaza fell already this week in the South.

There is the nuclear threat from Iran.

No one knows what will happen next on the Jerusalem streets,

but there certainly are many cameras on hand to record it.

Muslim Quarter

Sukkot holiday crowds pushed through the Old City to the Kotel,

 the Western Wall,  for Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

photographers Jerusalem

Photographers were ready for action in the crowded Muslim Quarter.

photographers Jerusalem

Serious cameras were there to get close-ups of the faces.

Old City

Thousands of smiling visitors posed for their moment.

Meir Goldreicht

There were so many phones out taking photos,

Kosel crowd

 many were photos of the holiday crowds at the Kotel.

In the sukkah at Beit Hanasi, the President’s residence,

sukkah

not only people posed for photos,

seeing eye dog

but even this dog stopped and posed.

kids camera

There were children taking pictures

Shimon Peres

and official photos with President Shimon Peres as well.

Having your camera handy is a good thing, 

mime

as you never know when you will need it on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem parade

At the Jerusalem Parade, marchers took photos with and of the spectators.

Nigerian tourists

Who knew so many Nigerians were camera crazy?

Jerusalem streets are narrow,

a car on the corner can make it impossible for a truck to pass.

cars

This looked like possible trouble, so I took a photo of the scene.

Not everyone wants me to take their photos, that is for sure.

pose for camera

 In fact, this man jumped out of his truck and started towards me!

I sure was relieved that all he wanted was for me to take his photo!

Most people are back to work.

School classes are in session until Hanukkah,

the universities start next week.

One might expect quiet streets, 

but yesterday there were crowds and shofars and cameras

bar mitzvah

and drums for a bar mitzvah boy’s celebration.

Gotta love those Jerusalem streets,

where you never know what or who you will find.