On the Jerusalem streets, life goes on.
Despite being under constant rocket fire from Lebanon and the psychological threat from Iran, things have been happening on the Jerusalem streets.
Surprisingly even at late night, the Kotel, Western Wall, plaza was full of people.
So many people, that I didn’t realize until the next day that I had family in the crowd.
Venturing outside from home, things were happening, a few highlights.
Literally, around Jerusalem, one must move mountains to build new roads.
Now that the new tunnels are finally open to Gush Etzion, Route #60 is being expanded to accommodate the traffic flow. Such a short distance to drive can take a long time, especially in rush hours.
The campus of Har Etzion Yeshiva was where I was headed to start the week.
The annual Yom Iyun Bible study sessions were held as usual during the week before Tisha B’Av. In the past, I tried to run around to capture many of the important rabbis and lecturers. However, this time I stayed in the auditorium for the day in Herzog Global dedicated to international educators.
The panel discussion after lunch was “Beyond the Text: Can We Effect Change Inside the Classroom.”
“Effect” and “affect” were the topics of the day, with examples of educational styles shown.
The last session late afternoon was with Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein and her daughter Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg. Their discussion on Biblical figures was engaging enough to fill the auditorium, even at the late hour after a long day. The Herzog Global sessions are available in English online. More photos HERE
The Yeshiva has lost many valued students to terror and war, and the fallen are remembered.
The Knesset plenum is in recess until after the fall holidays, but the building is far from empty. Twice recently I have seen young families arriving at the same time I am headed to a session.
The Knesset attendance board was lit with who was in the building Wednesday morning.
The session I went for was on “settler violence” and the US sanctions issued on February 1, 2024. US President Biden’s Executive Order 14115, has been copied by other countries.
The room was filled when the session started with people outside clamoring to get in. MK Simcha Rothman chaired the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee session which went on for 4 1/2 hours.
The conclusions of Michael Wolfowicz, a criminologist from the Hebrew University’s School of Law, data-driven testimony was informative. The extensive use of UN-inflated figures and the negative impact were much greater than I had realized.
Lawyers Mark Zell and Avi Bell were there with a copy of the 100-page legal complaint filed in the United States. Eugene Kontorovich, another of the plaintiffs’ legal advisers, wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed published the same day, stating sanctions like this have never been used to silence policy.
Members of the Knesset attended and spoke raising various points as Tali Gotlib did about Israeli banks.
Not often I get a photo of me taking a photo. She knows how to get attention as she speaks loud and early and leaves. Other MKs came and stayed for hours as the discussions continued.
So what’s happening on the Jerusalem streets you might have missed?
Our local public shelter got a new door.
In Mamilla Mall, stores come and go, as well as the people
Always photo-worthy, the Tower of David walls were lit at night.
People walked through the Arab shuk in the Old City at night.
Not everything is black and white, but Muslim women walk alone in the Old City.
Tisha B’Av begins Monday night, August 8, 2024, with a long list of options for Aicha, the annual reading of Lamentations at night, and many programs on Tuesday during the fast day.
New options for those at home and not in Jerusalem, include a movie produced by AISH.
Several of the people in the film attended the preview on Wednesday night. Living by values, needing a meaningful life, building homes in Israel, taking pain to rebuild, and building stronger and better – are highlighted. “Nothing is stronger than a broken heart.” If you need some inspiration, it is available for free online all Tisha B’Av.
The annual International Puppet Festival is at the Train Theater from August 18 to 22.
A new exhibit is at the Islamic Museum – but even as life moves on, there is a yellow ribbon until the hostages return.
Moving on, the signs are up for the new school year to begin next month.
The sun was setting as I walked to the Old City, the reflections on the stones – Jerusalem of Gold.
Friday was Indigenous Peoples Day.
For millennia Jews have been buried on the Mount of Olives, except from 1948-1967, when Jordan divided and occupied Jerusalem. In 1948, Jewish life in the Old City was destroyed.
Today the Tiferet Israel, the largest and last synagogue to be rebuilt is seen with its dome rising above the Old City. That is one tour I am anxiously waiting to take.
Meanwhile, public tours of the Knesset are available. The Israeli flags are blowing in the evening breeze.
It’s August. It’s hot. But people are out and about on the real Jerusalem streets.
After Tisha B’Av the Jerusalem streets are to fill with people, events, and music again.
The International Jerusalem Klezmer Festival has performances from August 18-23, starting in First Station at 8:30 pm and Cinema City the next night. Friday before Shabbat at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel they have a special show for the people from north and south who have had to leave home due to the constant rocket barrages from Lebanon.
Not enough?
There’s Infinity – next week at the Jerusalem Pais Arena!
Hope to see you all here soon.
Next year in Jerusalem.
