Jerusalem has always been a city that is talked about.
Too many people have said about it, and some things can be fun to give up.
Among other things, it was customary to say of her that she does not change, does not know how to renew, and also does not want so much.
It was said that something in its ancient eternity makes it a bit static, outdated and stuck.
I once thought these statements were sinful in generalization.
Today I know they are complete nonsense.
Jerusalem is changing.
Externally and internally.
Take, for example, the western entrance to the city.
For years this has been the constant joke of Jerusalem storytellers.
Where will you find another great city in the world that in order to enter it you must first pass through a large and threatening cemetery?
But it does not end there.
Neither the way nor the joke.
Immediately after Mount of Beatitudes, you are greeted by heartwarming institutions such as the famous orphanage, a school for the blind, and a yeshiva named for its tendency not to accept Oriental students, the city's clowns gave it the name "Pale Educational Home" ...
Laughter Laughter, but the entrance to Jerusalem has changed.
Something in the system of interchanges and tunnels, which can sometimes be as challenging as an advanced psychometric test, makes it clear to those at its gates that it is time to update not only the story of entering the city, but also the prejudice that Jerusalem is unable to keep up and does not want to renew.
Festive prayer in honor of Jerusalem Day at the Western Wall // Photo: Western Wall Heritage Foundation
Most personally I just love this city, where my father was born and where my children were born.
Jerusalem is not a story of simple love.
He who loves her, up and down, should love, or at least accept, even what he usually cannot stand.
For example, the extremists.
Those who live here know how few are the extremists on all sides.
Few, but stealers of focus.
Pulling headlines that there is no such thing.
But this is mainly a problem with whoever cooks your media agenda.
Anyone who lives in Jerusalem - buys in the Judea camp and Talpiot, curses at the Pat junction, stands in line for a corona examination at Jabal Mukaber or takes a note to queue at some clinic in Ramot - knows that the demographic complexity of this city is not only its trouble, but especially its great promise.
Anyone who knows her closely and looks at her with a good eye knows that for every stone thrown at the light rail, there are dozens of young Arabs who she drives to a better future.
For every advertisement in which someone has corrupted a picture of a woman, there are dozens of ultra-Orthodox young people studying advertising.
It's the truth that you will never make headlines.
Here is a tiny personal experience for you.
Last Friday afternoon, in a small room in the industrial area of Talpiot, a celebration of the Jerusalem Capoeira Club took place.
There was a dizzying pace and marvelous performance, and there were masters from Brazil who came to hand out belts to the students.
But what really mattered was the fact that young men and women of Jerusalem of all kinds rolled and danced on the training surface.
There were ultra-Orthodox, secular, Arab and religious children who bear names like Wasim, Stav and Elimelech, and whose future is the future of Jerusalem.
Capoeira is a martial art that has become a dance.
Violence that has been conquered and turned into a wonderful social activity.
They kick without hurting, attack and smile at each other.
If you ask me, this is exactly what Jerusalem needs.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
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