Posted on 06/06/16
Jerusalem, Israel - June 6, 2016 - Yom Yerushalayim 5766, Jerusalem Day. was celebrated in Yerushalayim with hundreds or thousands of varied events. Schools had morning programs for children showing the connection of the Jewish people to Yerushalayim through the thousands of years in the Tanach.
The Ethiopian Community had an official ceremony on Har Herzl in memory of those who died on the way to Eretz Yisrael. Mayor Nir Barkat and his wife stood in Tower of David to welcome citizens of Jerusalem as is an annual practice.
The Flag Dance received media attention this year, as groups went to court to try and stop it. However, after dancing and singing on King George Street, the annual walk went on with no problems. There was extensive police security and groups of young people worked on crowd control.
Boys and Girls had separate dancing and mostly separate routes. Walking through what had been No Man's Land from 1948-1967,and on to the Old City by way of Shar Shehem and finallly down to the Kosel was a slow process, with plenty of singing and dancing. It was a very hot sunny day, and occasional water stands along the way were appreciated.
Am Yisrael Chai and Od Avenu Chai were heard over and over in the streets of Yerushalayim. At the Kosel Plaza the Chief Sephardi Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef spoke to a huge crowd. Singing and dancing went on well into the night, in multiple locations.
Seen in the photo essay with the dancing and parade photos are dignitaries including Jerusalem deputy Mayor Dov Kalmanovich, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and former Marylanders, Daphna Siegman, Sarah Maslow, and Gitti Leibtag.
