western wall plaza

May in Jerusalem back to normal seesaw of life

Sharon A

Are we really back to “normal” or just a lull until the next round of fighting?

The sounds of planes flying over have become a norm.

The weather was pleasant, and people returned to the streets of Jerusalem, Israel.

It was time to be back again in Jerusalem’s Old City to see what’s happening.

Entering through the Jaffa Gate, it was good to see people walking into the Old City.

Flags are still flying between Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, and Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day.

The Tower of David Citadel rises iconically above the walls.

However, the old entrance inside Jaffa Gate is also impressive.

The columns of the ancient Cardo, a Roman-era street, stand tall in the Jewish Quarter.

There was a new water fountain for anyone who needed a drink on their way.

I was going to a special ceremony at the Kotel, Western Wall Plaza.

New soldiers were inducted into the Israel Defense Force, with thousands of family and close friends in attendance.

From my vantage point with the Kotel in the distance, there was another, much smaller, brief ceremony.

Under the white tallit, young children were blessed as the new soldiers fell into formation.

It was hard to find family in the large crowd. I tried many times.

The ceremony opens with lighting a memorial flame.

A few short speeches and Biblical readings, and each unit swears allegiance.

The ceremony ends with a prayer for safety and Hatikvah.

Hours of standing, waiting for a short ceremony, with pride and concern at the same time.

As the ceremony ended, the weapons were secured and not taken home.

Young women were also volunteering for combat duty.

I go out of my way now not to show their young, beautiful faces

One face in the crowd I knew well over the years, Chazan Shai Abramson.

He was the chief Chazan in the IDF, and now, in reserve duty, sings at special events.

(I have no idea who this other man is; he was standing nearby.)

On the way home, out of the Rova, Jewish Quarter, I noticed the construction fencing of the Tiferet Israel Synagogue had been removed. The last of the Old City synagogues destroyed in 1948 was nearing completion.

Inside Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue as rebuilding begins

After years of watching the renovation, this was in 2019. I look forward to a tour inside.

Two white domes seen from the roof of Tower of David the Hurva Synagogue and the Tiferet Israel newly rebuilt

Its white dome is higher than the more well-known Hurva Synagogue on the right.

As we approach Jerusalem Day, this year on May 15, 2026, the Jerusalem decorative street lights are ready in blue and white.

Shai Abramson led the IDF choir in the prayer for the IDF at the Great Synagogue. It was years ago, at the memorial service for the three boys. Israeli teenagers abducted and murdered by Hamas terrorists in June 2014: Eyal Yifrach (19), Gilad Shaar (16), and Naftali Frenkel (16).

Hoping it does not take another tragedy for Israel to unite again.

Jerusalem celebrates Israel at 78

So back to normal. The regular seesaw of life

Please keep sharing what’s really happening.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

See Jerusalem a City of Contrasts

Sharon A

The Talmud teaches that there are two Jerusalems–Jerusalem above and Jerusalem on earth below.

This week more than ever the contrast of what’s happening on the Jerusalem streets was extreme.

Life continues even as people wait anxiously for the news of hostages released from Gaza.

The new buildings tower and grow above the streets.

While the light rail track construction has wreaked havoc on the streets below.

There are protests across from the Knesset to release the hostages.

There is also a “Tent of Heroes,” which remembers the soldiers who fell in battle. This morning, a young widow with three children spoke of her husband who was killed in Gaza by an RPG a year ago.

The slide show in the background showed the faces of others who lost their lives this past year. It is hard to watch, so much lost talent and potential.

The poster on the side of the building had an offensive adjective above “WAR” which was edited out rather quickly with white cloth.

I had time to take multiple photos of it as we sat in traffic at night. All day the Jerusalem streets were blocked due to the multiple protests near the entrance to the city.

Finally, renovation work on the Wohl Rose Garden has resumed after a long break.

Even the grounds of the Monastery in the Valley of the Cross are being landscaped after years of neglect.

First Station is to undergo a major renovation. Now most of these stalls wait for tourists to return.

The US Ambassador moved out. The new one should arrive and present his credentials soon.

New community projects are moving along as buildings are renovated.

Look up and Jerusalem, Israel is thriving despite over a year of war.

Today, as I walked along the Israel Museum, the Knesset was getting a power wash, flowers were blooming in the park, and a Muslim man was praying under an Israeli flag.

But, look up and see the yellow ribbon calling for hostages to come home,

and below on the park grounds, the face of one murdered, but not forgotten.

Some of the Armenian gift shops were open again.

But, other shops closer to Zion Gate are still shuttered.

The Armenian parking lot was full,

but the roads near it were empty,

missing the cars

and the crowds for this time of year.

However, the stickers remembering fallen soldiers fill the metal doors of Jaffa Gate.

A few tours listen to the history of the stones and destruction of old.

There are people at the Kotel, Western Wall,

on these sunny warm winter days,

where the Western Wall Heritage Foundation is doing work again.

Digging up the Plaza to work underneath the stones.

Fewer holiday visitors make taking photos easier.

But I would rather see the plaza outside of Jaffa Gate filled with tourists.

I am certain the shops in the Old City would like to see those tourists back.

Even in these days of extreme stress and war, the Roman Cardo pillars stand to remind us of the past.

The dome of the Tiferet Israel Synagogue rises above the Old City to remind us of rebuilding for the future. The last synagogue destroyed by the Jordanian Legions in 1948 is finally nearing completion.

The birds are singing. The sun is shining.

Next Year in Jerusalem – we’ve been saying it for a very long time.

Jerusalem: Clouds, Cactus, Color, Crowds, and Cats

Sharon A

With the end of the holiday season, some Israeli flags are slowly disappearing from the Jerusalem streets for the summer.

But flags still out were flying in the wind and wind is great for flag photos.

The week in Jerusalem began with clouds covering the Jerusalem streets, making for cooler days and even cooler nights.

Heavy and dark clouds appeared and some neighborhoods reported light rain. Facebook reminded me there were clouds last year this time also.

They continued at night for dramatic photos of the full moon. Who needs a Blue Moon or Blood Moon? Every full moon over Jerusalem is special.

Each construction crane seems to rise higher approaching those clouds.

Construction appears to be going slowly again at the Netanyahu house across from Yoni Netanyahu Plaza.

The new residence of the US Ambassador to Israeli has been revealed on Emek Refaim. It was hard to get a photo without the cars passing by.

An interesting complex that takes over a large corner of the street. Will be interesting to see if the bus stop there remains and what happens when construction of the light rail line begins. But still, no US flags to be seen.

It was the natural growth and beauty along the Jerusalem streets this week that I appreciated more than all the ongoing building and construction.

Not only the yellow cactus flowers but weeds bursting with color.

Color seems to burst out from the stones in the Old City.

Wonderful to see the tour groups were back in and around the Old City!

Tourists and crowds have returned after two too quiet years.

How long has it been since a friend from overseas made a Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel, the Western Wall? A very special occasion indeed.

But not the only one, as groups crowded in, I had to search for the right Bar Mitzvah boy and his family.

Wonder how many of those tourists will realize this is a new fountain at the new traffic circle on King David Street?

But back to what’s happening now in Jerusalem, signs Just for Youth.

Jerusalem College to give wings for more educational opportunities.

And for all who are interested, every Wednesday during the summer – there is a cinematic celebration with Maaleh films – dramas and documentaries – each week 3 short films by Maaleh Film School students will be featured.

The films have been screened in film festivals around the world and are now available at The First Station and admission is FREE.

Jerusalem Israel restaurant in old silos

On June 23 outside the Silo Café next to First Station, the Jerusalem Community Woodstock Festival returns featuring music from the 60s with live bands. This year my friend is partnering with the Emunah women’s organization, to help support their work with children and at-risk young women in Israel, while also featuring her promising young musicians.

And what would a report on what’s happening on the Jerusalem streets be without at least one photo of a Jerusalem cat posed on a royal throne?

Exciting times as the Jerusalem streets become alive again with tourists and events, and conferences return.

Stay well and hope to see you here soon for a Jerusalem Photo Walk.