The unique sounds and sights in Jerusalem from Yom Kippur to Sukkot

Sharon A

This time of year, during the holiday season, the sounds and sights on the Jerusalem streets are unique.

Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall, was huge many nights before Yom Kippur; more than once this year, the entrance was closed to avoid overcrowding, as seen HERE in 2017.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s official residence, has a small synagogue.

I started going to Beit Hanasi when President Rivlin began hosting a selihot service.

I enjoyed listening to various Israeli singers over the years, including those of 5779.

The program has changed over time.

Early on, President Rivlin had Yitzhak Meir lead the service inside the synagogue.

This year, the pre-selihot songs were arranged by 929, the Bible study program under Rav Benny Lau.

The synagogue was not used, President Herzog spoke outside to begin the program.

What was interesting to me was his mention of the Torah dedication that had taken place only a few hours earlier by the Hoffman family in memory of their fallen son, Yitzhar.

Rav Benny Lau also spoke at the program, which 929 has organized for President Herzog.

The crowd extended as in past years to the back of the garden area near the synagogue.

A yellow chair was placed front and center, as all wait anxiously for the hostages to return.

Yagel Haroush and Ensemble were back again this year.

Watch this short video for an example of their unique performance.

The President and Michal Herzog stayed for a short time to speak with participants.

No IDF uniforms were seen in the audience as in past years.

It was before Yom Kippur, and the Presidential sukkah was already under construction. This year, the theme is sports-related, not the usual agriculture. The Beit Hanasi gates are to be open to the public on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 10 am to 4:00 pm.

This time of year, it is not unusual to see palm branches for the top of a sukkah on top of a car.

I like to look up to see the flowers along the Jerusalem streets.

But now, if you look up, you will also see the Sukkot popping up on balconies.

From the top of apartment buildings, sukkot large and small.

Preparations were well underway for the start of the holiday of Sukkot to begin at sunset on Monday.

Colorful lights appear along some Jerusalem streets.

Our sukkah, be it ever so humble, is ready to decorate.

The Jerusalem March is to be on Thursday, October 9, with a big celebration in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Thousands of visitors are arriving for the holidays.

If not this year, next year in Jerusalem, come for the unique sights and sounds.

From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur on the Jerusalem streets

Sharon A

Just before Rosh Hashanah, Jerusalem turned into a whirlwind of activity.

It seemed as though every postponed lecture, concert, and ceremony came rushing back at once. I found myself choosing between events, racing from one to another, while noticing the first hints of autumn in the cooler air as the seasons changed and visitors arrived for the holidays.

Construction in Jerusalem, near the city entrance, is ongoing and increasing.

Actually, those construction cranes can be seen almost everywhere along the Jerusalem streets.

Buildings towering over the streets are a surprise to those who have not been around for a while.

The contrast of old and new, a constant theme in Jerusalem, is seen here on Jaffa Road.

This is a special time of year in Jerusalem, Israel, before the High Holidays.

‘Jerusalem City of Selihot’ signs are seen along Jerusalem streets. Tours wandered through the Old City night after night to the Kotel, Western Wall, for the after-midnight prayers.

However, during the day, people were out and about, no matter how late the hours the night before.

The Living Financially Smarter in Israel annual conference was held again with Nefesh BeNefesh in the Jerusalem Campus. Cinema City was not busy on the Sunday of the conference when I arrived.

Rifka Leibowitz concluded the full day of speakers with a summary of the key elements of a financially smarter life. Live within your means, plan and grow your money, and prepare for that broken appliance or unwanted but necessary expense.

At the end of the day, the participants were still around to fill the large room to hear her presentation.

The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference was held in the Friends of Zion Media Center.

Not the usual hotel venue for that conference, and attendance varied for each speaker or awardee.
Among the morning highlights was the interview of Mike Huckabee, United States Ambassador to Israel, by Zvika Klein.

One of the Jerusalem Post’s 50 influential people was Sam Grundwerg, World Chairman, Keren Hayesod, who spoke and posed with editor-in-chief Zvika Klein.

Another of the 50, Amir Avivi, Founder & Chairman, Israel’s Defense and Security Forum, was interviewed by Anna Ahronheim, Editor Defense & Tech, The Jerusalem Post

Politicians included Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs & Combating Antisemitism, who was interviewed by Zvika Klein.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived and smiled before he spoke briefly.

And always everywhere and smiling was Fleur Hassan Nahoum.

One of the few diplomats this year was the Ambassador from India, J. P. Singh.

The IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani was another of the 50 who attended, as was Yoel Zilberman, CEO and Co-founder, Hashomer Hachadash.

An all-female panel was moderated by the new Jerusalem Report editor, Ruth Eglash.

But the program ran late, and I left before Mosab Hassan Yousef, “The Green Prince,” and Dr. Dan Diker, President and Fellow, Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, were on the stage.

It was more important to me to be at the Jerusalem Theater for The Michael Levin Base gala event.

Friends Carol and Mark Goldberg were being honored as The Base Volunteers of the Year.

And yes, there was Fleur again – smiling.

The Rise of Global Antisemitism Panel was moderated by Michael Dickson, StandWithUs CEO, and included former Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum, current Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, and journalist Matti Friedman.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was the opening keynote speaker. His patience and attention to those who stopped him on his way in the auditorium were impressive.

The Ambassador received a standing ovation as he reached the stage, and before he could say a word, affirming that the United States and Israel are more than allies – “we are partners.”

Of course, there was food and more awards that night.

Driving to Modiin on Route 443, one sees the new Arab buildings spread over the hilltops.

We went on Friday morning for a family event and service.

For a simhat bat – a celebration for a new baby girl in the family.

Celebrations continue – light and good, along with the darkness and bad of the past year.

The crowds have been large at the Kotel each night. I did not go this year, but even President Herzog went last night to support the hostages and their families.



However, the prayers at the Kotel are the same every year.

And the sounds of selihot resonate each year…differently for the Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions. But at least in Jerusalem, the tunes and customs are beginning to merge.

Also, in Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem municipal square, there is a large gathering to celebrate the New Year.

There are traditional foods,

as that fiddler on the roof, “Tradition.”

Hatima Tova on Bus sign

Gmar Hatima Tova is the traditional greeting of the season.

And as Yom Kippur ends, “Next year in Jerusalem” is said around the world – a tradition.

And the sounds of Sukkot will fill the Jerusalem streets.

A Jerusalem September week filled with highs and lows

Sharon A

Oh, what a week this was!

It seems the extremes of highs and lows are a constant theme on the Jerusalem streets.

This week, both national and personal events added to the regular extremes of emotion.

September-11-JNF-living memorial in Jerusalem Israe;

Thursday was the annual Jerusalem memorial ceremony for those murdered on September 11, 2001.

Jerusalem memorial to victims of September 11 flowers placed on names of murdered.

Every year, for the September 11 ceremony, the names of the victims are remembered, some with flowers.

I did not go this year, but watched the live broadcast at home.

The week started with much excitement about a red moon event on Sunday night.

Knowing I would not be up and outside at 8:30 pm, I did get a photo of the pink sky at sunrise.

Not too bad an image through the dirty hospital room window. A bit of advice, do not try and call hospital staff during a lunar phenomenon when all are outside watching the moon.

I was glad to be out the next day and able to walk a bit in the neighborhood near the new bike paths.

They are not finished. The areas of work are often blocked, and traffic backs up. Honking is the norm.

I did see one person actually use the bike path and not ride on the sidewalk.

Being out on the local street, I liked this message for young children to hold a hand and not cross alone.

No forgetting the hostages, these yellow signs have been posted in many areas – “until the last hostage.”

I could include the protests and other low events of the week.

However, I decided to share the colors of the fall flowers I saw along Jerusalem streets.

White blossoms abound,

along with cacti full of fruit,

and multicolored flowers line Jerusalem streets this time of year.

As usual, Muslim young women were out sitting in a Jerusalem cafe.

And of course, those Jerusalem cats were out as the day cools off.

Being home for Shabbat was very good news.

As we go to the end of September and the year 5785, new “Jerusalem is the capital of Selihot” signs are lining the Jerusalem streets.

The prayers every year before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have become increasingly popular, accompanied by music, and are held in hundreds of venues.

I did not go this year, but I remember a highlight from 10 years ago.

Walking towards the Kotel, the Western Wall, I went out of my way to follow the sounds coming from the Old City.

Going along a small lane to discover Chizki Sofer leading a musical selihot service. I had no idea who he was at the time, but I found out quickly through social media. It can be good when it’s helpful.

May the New Year bring good news and good health for all.

Next year in Jerusalem!