Not for the first time did President Isaac Herzog attend morning prayers last Saturday at the HaZvi Yisrael Congregation, more commonly known as Hovevei. Herzog is familiar with several of the congregants who come on weekdays for morning prayers at the small, exquisite synagogue on the grounds of the President’s Residence, and often joins in the prayer service.
With generations of rabbinical DNA flowing through his system, the president obviously knows how to read from the Torah, and he read the supplementary section last Saturday in a strong, clear voice that could be heard at the top of the women’s gallery. In day-to-day conversation, Herzog has a soft voice, and when he speaks without a microphone at various functions, it is sometimes difficult to hear him. But he proved that he can project his voice when necessary.
Happenings on Azza Road
■ AZZA ROAD residents may breathe a sigh of relief if the government does not fall. Of course, not all of them are in favor of the present government, but if it stays in power it means that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will move back into the PM’s official residence, which has been undergoing rapid repairs in recent weeks – presumably because that is where Netanyahu would like to welcome US President Donald Trump.
Residents of Balfour Road and Smolenskin Street are connected to a WhatsApp group manned by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and whenever the road is blocked by trucks with construction equipment, residents get a message to divert their cars to another direction because they will be unable to pass.
Meanwhile, Azza Road is increasingly becoming the new Emek Refaim, with more coffee shops, restaurants, and food stores than ever before.
It is very sad to see Emek Refaim become a ghost area. It won’t be completely deserted because there are residential buildings on the street whose occupants need to eat, but it won’t be the Emek Refaim that people in the German Colony have loved for so long.
As for Azza Road, people who stayed away from there because they didn’t want to be caught up in demonstrations will find very few familiar buildings left.
Azza Road is a prime example of urban renewal, but not always to the benefit of locals. For instance, an apartment complex built on top of and around what used to be a commercial section all but hides Tomer’s Bread, a bakery and coffee shop that was easily visible before it was hidden by the additional structure. Regular clientele know where it is, but others don’t.
Bastille Day in Jerusalem
■ EVEN THOUGH the French Embassy postponed its Bastille Day celebrations, the French Consulate for West Jerusalem did not. The event was well attended, though many old-timers stayed home to protest what they see as France’s hostile attitude toward Israel.
Indeed, in his speech, French Consul-General Nicolas Kassianides reiterated his country’s position demanding an immediate ceasefire. Although he mentioned the suffering on both sides and said that the hostages should be freed, he emphasized the “hell” in Gaza.
The mood was somber and there was no music. Still, there were bountiful platters of little sandwiches and delicious French pastries and cakes – all dairy and kosher Mehadrin.
Milestone at Tower of David Museum
■ A MILESTONE birthday or anniversary is often a good excuse to take time off from work. But sometimes the long arm of coincidence gets in the way. Last Thursday, Caroline Shapiro-Weiss celebrated the 30th anniversary of her appointment as spokesperson for the Tower of David Museum.
Very few people at any museum in Israel can boast of such a long tenure. But Shapiro-Weiss could not take time off to celebrate because that Thursday was the official opening of Yehoram Gaon – The Exhibition, one of the most comprehensive and unusual exhibitions undertaken by the staff of the Tower of David. And earlier in the day, she had organized a press tour to enable members of the media to get a proper look at and appreciation for the exhibition.
As for museum director Eilat Lieber and senior curator Tal Kobo, it was not an easy day for them either, as both spoke at the beginning of the press tour, and again in the evening at the exhibition opening, which was over-attended – a factor which in itself was a great tribute to Yehoram Gaon. He didn’t do much singing last week, but as he is one of the people who can be credited with revising Ladino melodies, it was important for Ladino songs to be sung – and also for a Jerusalemite to sing them.
The singer was Kochava Levy, whose late husband, Yitzhak Levy, a musician, singer, and composer of Sephardi liturgical music, was one of the people who worked with Gaon in reviving the Ladino spirit in music. Kochava Levy is the mother of Yasmin Levy, the internationally acclaimed singer and composer of Judeo-Spanish songs. Their voices are very similar. Had they sung together, it would have been an intensely powerful performance. As it was, the audience, including the overflow of some 100 people, sang with her, indicating that adherence to the Sephardi heritage is alive and well.
The exhibition will continue through December, when Gaon will celebrate his 86th birthday. Until then, the Tower of David Museum will host several cultural events to complement the exhibition. Among them are tours and live music events with interaction between audience and performers.
Community singing is an Israeli pastime, the popularity of which has never waned. There will be at least two evenings of community singing in the months ahead. On August 6, under the title of Kol Hakavod, which was one of Gaon’s big hits, popular singer Einat Sarouf will lead the audience in singing the iconic singer’s greatest songs.
Moshe Lahav is a singer who grew up on Gaon’s songs. He was born in Jerusalem, where he was raised and launched his career, and he now lives in Tel Aviv. Known as “The Big Tish” (table) after his popular one-man show, he will also perform on September 10, celebrating his 60th birthday – and Gaon’s songs will undoubtedly be included in his program.
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