What do you think of on July 4th in Jerusalem?

The smell of freshly cut grass is not one associated with Jerusalem, Israel.

But as I entered Jerusalem’s Liberty Bell Park from the shade of the Hubert Humphrey Arbor and descended the steps toward the Liberty Bell on July 4th morning, the familiar clean and fresh aroma of grass filled the air.

The Liberty Bell Park was dedicated 45 years ago to coincide with the 1976 Bicentennial celebration in the United States.

However, for Israelis, the same date July 4, 1976, was the Entebbe mission where Yoni Netanyahu fell in action saving the hijacked passengers.

In Liberty Bell Park there is a memorial garden in his name.

July 1st is Canada Day and next to the Yoni Netanyahu Garden is another memorial Canadians should appreciate.

The Terry Fox Memorial Garden was dedicated in 1985 to a special athlete who captured the imagination and respect of Canadians as he crossed the country on one leg after amputation because of cancer to raise money for cancer research.

As I reached the end of the park, classes of young students were arriving.

I wondered if they knew of the significance of climbing on the exact replica of the US Liberty Bell on July 4th, in a Jerusalem, Israel, park?

So glad it was cooler, following a very hot week of summer weather of last week.

A real conference, live and online, with programs and tags – and face masks.

Dozens of speakers on economy and education and more, but only one was wearing a watermelon shirt, a professor from Hebrew University.

With the rising corona numbers, I hope it’s not one of the last of large gatherings allowed inside.

Also exciting to be back to Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence for the arrival of the German President. Notice the equipment to do a live stream, and the antiviral gel on the wall, both new additions since former President Joachim Gauck came in December 2015 to mark the 50th year of Israel-German diplomatic relations.

After over a year of reduced ceremonies, the IDF band was back preparing.

The military honor guard inspected before President Steinmeier arrived.

The mingling and chatting of German and Israeli military officials, in the Jerusalem garden of Beit Hanasi, something I find incredulous.

Who could ever imagine 80 years ago, German media traveling with their President to Jerusalem, Israel, and sending back the breaking story from their laptop computer?

The Presidents spoke and planted an apple tree in the Beit Hanasi yard. One of President Rivlin’s last major events. On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Israel is to have a new President and preparations are underway for the transition.

Remembering the past and planning for the future in Jerusalem, Israel.

The past and future are reflected in these Jerusalem street signs. The small blue sign is of the combatting antisemitism mega-events held at the end of January 2019 BC (Before Corona). Not sure which election cycle the yellow Shas campaign ad was for. But below are the new signs for Mekudeshet musical events and the night of Tisha B’Av “conversations.”

There was so much more, but enough.

You never know what will be happening next on the Jerusalem streets!

Jerusalem Summer is Festival Time

Jerusalem Summer is Festival Time

Summer in Jerusalem, Israel, means it is festival time.

“Dream Herzl” is being held this week at the Har Herzl Museum on Har Herzl.

Har Herzl Museum with actor dressed as Herzl

Would or could have Herzl ever dreamed of any of these?

Entrance to Botanical Gardens for Playmobil Jerusalem Israel summer

PlayMobil Festival at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens is opening July 23.

New building at Botanical Gardens Jerusalem

The new center is getting closer to completion.

Jerusalem Israel Botanical Gardens wedding photos

Brides pose near the pond for wedding photos.

Summer 2018 pirate ship in Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

A PlayMobil pirate ship is ready for youngsters to climb.

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens sign for Playmobil summer event

The big sign is up, and grandmothers have arrived with young children, only to be told it is not open yet.

Children who live in Jerusalem from families with Yerushalayim discount cards can get in for free.

Will have to see if that is for the special summer festival also.

Jerusalem Theatre art display Ethiopian photos

Also free and open now are the galleries at the Jerusalem Theater. One foyer has black and white photos of Ethiopian Israelis.

Haredi art at Jerusalem Theater

Upstairs at the Henri Crown Auditorium is an exhibit called “Haready Made.”

Contemporary Jewish religious art of the Hamiklat, ArtShelter Gallery, is on display until July 7.

Outline Illustration and Word Festival in Jerusalem

The Outline Festival has 150 illustrators, animators, writers and poets, providing 15 exhibits in various locations.

Sign for Jerusalem Israel Iceland

Not free, but starting July 8, for the entire summer is IceLand.

Do you think Herzl would ever have imagined people would be ice skating in Jerusalem in August?

Performances and meetings in the park for children all summer in Jerusalem Israel

All summer, Jerusalem public parks will be hosting weekday events for children at 5:00 pm.

Rock, Paper and Scissors is a new exhibit opening at the at Tower of David Museum.

Haneviim Chazanut Festival in Jerusalem Israel

Three days of Chazanut, cantorial music, called HaNaviim, the Prophets, will be at Beit Avi Chai.

Then there is the Jerusalem Film Festival from July 26-August 5.

The annual Streetball Festival is the end of July.

Blood Moon over Jerusalem is on July 27 for Tu B’Av.

More than Herzl or the ancient prophets ever could have envisioned, is happening in Jerusalem.

However, today is July 4th.

Liberty Bell Park memorial for Yoni Netanyahu Jerusalem Israel

Entebbe and Yoni Netanyahu are remembered in Jerusalem’s Liberty Bell Park.

I decided to end with the US anthem from a special program honoring First Responders at the King David Hotel.

The program honored Israeli and US security, police, fire and EMT, all working together to make the world safer.