Schools are out for the long summer holidays.
The temperatures have risen to uncomfortable highs.
Things feel almost “normal” on the Jerusalem streets.
There is less traffic during the usual rush hour times, but you never know when there will be delays.
The changing season is evident in the pomegranates growing in the garden at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence front garden near Theodore Herzl.
I was at Beit Hanasi twice for events that did not make headlines.
First, the swearing-in ceremony for new Israeli Labor Court Judges, where the diversity was apparent.
Of the seventeen new judges, 13 are women, not only Jewish women.
All the families in the audience were proud to record the moments.
Many sectors of Israeli society were included in this ceremony.
There were more children than usual for official events, and not all appreciated the speeches.
With the controversy around the Supreme Court this year, Uzi Fogelman is “acting” President, not the official head of the Court. But you know I was in the perfect spot to get his photo when the government photographer popped in front.
They all posed for the official photo at the end of the ceremony as usual.
Also this week at Beit Hanasi was an event attended by many rabbis. The Chief Rabbis have finished their official 10-year terms, but new elections have not been held. So they really represent themselves.
The morning was the launch of the publication of the English translation of the works of the former Chief Rabbi Herzog. I think the current President Herzog resembles the grandfather he is named for.
As in the video shown, the photos of the older rabbinic figure were the images most familiar.
As I left Beit Hanasi, a large white truck arrived with a police motorcycle in front and behind. Hot, tired, and wanting to get home, I had to stop and see what happened when they opened the back. No arrest drama, rather, they were just unloading the barriers in preparation for another night of protests.
Most photos from Thursday night were of protests, but in Baka, a new Torah was dedicated.
Hundreds of friends and supporters followed the Goldberg-Polins to the Baka Community Center.
Waiting traditionally were others to welcome them.
But this was not a traditional joyous dedication. The Torah was dedicated to the merit of their kidnapped hostage son Hersh and the other 119 hostages as part of their Week of Goodness.
The ‘Week of Goodness’ is universal and the activities are broad enough that both Jews and non-Jews all over the world were urged to join. Certainly, in Baka, hundreds came in person to join and support. The crowd spilled out from the Baka Community Center into the surrounding Jerusalem streets.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Joe Biden is to take place on Tuesday afternoon; the Prime Minister’s flight will depart tomorrow morning.
May there be respectful events on the Jerusalem streets and beyond…