Jerusalem is today the largest city in Israel demographically, but not territorially. That’s the reason, according to Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, that the city has become a tall tower metropolis.
Currently, there are over a million residents in Jerusalem, with some 40% Arab and approximately 60% Jewish. Of the latter, more than 40% are haredi (ultra-Orthodox). Lion expects significant increases in the population, partly from immigrants who see Israel as a haven from escalating antisemitism worldwide, but mainly through the high birthrates among both haredim and Arabs.
This will likely make life increasingly more difficult for the secular population, as can be seen in those neighborhoods that used to be a mix of secular and traditional families, but which are now mainly populated by haredi families.
The result – public buildings are subject to squatters’ rights and are often used as synagogues, kindergartens, and schools. There’s no Friday night entertainment anymore, many say. There’s nowhere to grab a bite to eat during the day on Saturday. Posters bearing images of women in these neighborhoods are often defaced.
Even more restrictions will likely be imposed as secular families leave the city. Some fear that co-ed schools will disappear, that there will be segregation on public transport, and that women will not be permitted to wear revealing clothing. Also, men and women might not be permitted to work in the same room in the establishments in which they are employed.
Even more restrictions will likely be imposed as secular families leave the city. Some fear that co-ed schools will disappear, that there will be segregation on public transport, and that women will not be permitted to wear revealing clothing. Also, that men and women will not be permitted to work in the same room in the establishments in which they are employed.
Other fears pertain to the possible elimination of non-kosher restaurants or coffee shops, and the list grows longer. This is not an exaggeration, especially when considering Vera Weizmann’s (the wife of Israel’s first president Chaim Weizmann), book title, The Impossible Takes Longer.
This is not an exaggeration, especially when considering Vera Weizmann’s (the wife of Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann) book title, The Impossible Takes Longer.
Vera Weizmann, who has been quoted in this column from time to time, wrote the book more than 60 years ago when much of what we take for granted today seemed impossible. But just take a look at the impossibilities that have become possible in the last decade alone, not to mention in the last century. Before 1967, the reunification of Jerusalem was a pipe dream. Yet it happened. During the Yom Kippur War, the very existence of Israel was under threat, yet Israel emerged victorious – a modern version of David vanquishing Goliath.
In a related matter, after the inhuman cruelty perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, few people believed that any of the hostages would survive. But 168 were returned to Israel alive, though tragically, 41 were murdered or died in captivity.
The Jerusalem Day week coincides with the week of the 20th anniversary of the passing of multitalented entertainer Yossi Banai, many of whose songs and skits evoke nostalgic memories of the Jerusalem that was and will never be again.
But at least Banai’s recordings and those of actor and singer Yehoram Gaon and others are there to remind us of the Jerusalem that was, in many respects, unique, but which today looks a lot like any other modern city. Plaques are being placed at sites where famous people once lived, but for the most part, the buildings they lived in are no longer there.
■ AS A prelude to Jerusalem Day, solar energy pioneer and environmentalist Yossi (Yosef) Abramowitz and his wife, Rabbi Susan Silverman, opened their home to Jerusalem cellist, composer, and singer Talia Erdal, who, in addition to being an amazing musician, is also involved with the Israel Trauma Coalition to which her performance was dedicated.
Abramowitz said that the first time he heard Erdal, he was “blown away,” and he wanted to share that experience with some of his friends. He also wanted to give those present who might not be counting the Omer between Passover and Shavuot the opportunity to participate in the count at least once.
Some liturgical singing followed this, and then came the true treat of the evening. Erdal has an incredible vocal range and has transformed her cello from a string instrument into a string-and-drum ensemble. When she does that, she relinquishes her bow and uses her fingers to tap, strum, and pluck.
As for her voice, she runs the gamut from emotionally sensuous wordless sounds to hip-hop-style compositions. There is so much diversity in both Erdal’s voice and her music that it’s difficult to believe that it’s all coming from the same person. There was something special about hearing her in the intimacy of the Abramowitz-Silverman living room that might not have come across in a concert hall.
As for the Israel Trauma Coalition, Erdal was introduced to the nationwide movement when she met someone who told her that the organization had saved his life. Suffering from the psychological and emotional stresses brought on by events of the past two and a half years, he was mentally falling apart. Following the coalition’s therapeutic treatments, he was in much better shape and improving all the time, he said.
■ DURING THE period when hostages were in captivity in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 massacre, President Issac Herzog and his wife, Michal, met frequently with families of the hostages, and with former hostages who had been released.
The fact that there are no more hostages in Gaza does not mean that the Herzogs have turned their attention elsewhere. As it is, they are constantly engaged with numerous people from other spheres. But they are still meeting with former hostages and their families.
Among the most recent of such meetings was one that occurred this week with Aviva and Keith Siegel, who were abducted from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7. Aviva was released after 51 days in captivity, but Keith remained a prisoner for a total of 484 days.
Aviva is originally from South Africa, and Keith is from the US. After her release, Aviva spoke to numerous groups in Israel and abroad, including world leaders. She was extremely worried about Keith’s health, but spoke on behalf of all the hostages.
When Keith was eventually released, he joined her on speaking tours, television appearances, and interviews for newspapers and magazines, while still in fragile health, something that continues to bother his wife.
Nonetheless, the couple continues with their mission to make the world aware of Hamas’s atrocities. Aviva has written a book, The Main Thing is to Wake Up to a New Morning, which she presented to the Herzogs. After perusing it, the president said that it was more than a personal story; it was a testament.
Some of the other released hostages and/or family members have written books. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the articulate mother of murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, has written a book, When We See You Again, which topped The New York Times bestseller list. It reveals a mother’s grief and the strength she had when she campaigned on behalf of her son while he was still alive, and what she mustered for her family and hostages still in captivity after being informed of Hersh’s death. Goldberg-Polin has been a visitor at the President’s Residence on several occasions.
■ WHILE GERSHON AGRON, the founding editor of The Jerusalem Post, which was then called The Palestine Post, went on to become the mayor of Jerusalem, the overwhelming majority of his successors remained in the communications industry, either as editors, writers, or spokespersons.
Some managed to combine all three. Avi Mayer founded the Jerusalem Journal a year ago and has attracted 10,000 subscribers, including politicians, diplomats, community leaders, academics, and journalists. David Horovitz, who was editor-in-chief of both the Post and its flagship magazine, The Jerusalem Report, founded The Times of Israel 12 years ago.
Steve Linde, who also edited both publications, is now the features editor at JNS (Jewish News Syndicate). Yaakov Katz, who has authored four books, continues to write a column for the Post as well as for major publications in the US and UK. He is a senior fellow at the Jerusalem-based Jewish People Policy Institute. There are other examples, but the above is sufficient to show how journalism creeps into the blood and stays there.
■ THE WORD “ambassador” has been bandied around to such an extent that it’s difficult to know when the reference is to a professional diplomat or to someone who represents a project, an organization, or a business enterprise.
An ambassadors’ evening event at the Intu complex at the Herzliya Marina was promoted by the Amit La’Derech association. In actual fact, it was a gathering of prominent business people who were being recruited to mentor and assist soldiers in the reserve forces who have completed their most recent tours of duty, and are now facing some of the complexities of civilian life, including loss of income, lack of motivation, and an overdose of government bureaucracy.
On hand to spell out the message were CEO Amit Shapira; CEO of the Drive Group and active partner and mentor in the association, Yoav Riesel; CEO of Ness Technologies and member of the association’s steering committee, Shachar Efal; the association’s founders, Natalie Spero Horowitz and Inbal Elisha; and the association’s chairman, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Hagi Topolansky.
The idea is that every released soldier who needs help will receive it, especially those young ones who come from at-risk backgrounds. Throughout their military service, they had a solid framework and a sense of discipline. Now back on civvy street, many don’t know what to do with themselves.
These young people need guidance, and Amit La’Derech is more than willing to provide it. In addition to the mentors and donors in attendance, there were new “ambassadors” who took on fundraising missions, each choosing a goal for a specific purpose within the association’s activities, thereby proving that their hearts were in the right place.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jerusalem Post or its affiliates.
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