The classroom buzzed with excitement as Morah Ella, their cherished teacher, entered. “Kids, tomorrow marks the day we’ve all been eagerly anticipating. Each of you will accompany one of your parents to work in Jerusalem, and I can hardly wait to hear all about your experiences.”
The children’s eyes sparkled, and the excitement bubbled over as they imagined the adventures that awaited them.
“Remember to snap lots of pictures and bring your favorite one together with your parent for our Jerusalem Day board.”
As soon as the bell rang, the children hurriedly exited the classroom, eager to head home.
The next morning, Jerusalem woke up to a refreshing spring day, cool and crisp. The air was pure, as the sun rose casting its golden light upon the city. The flowers were in full bloom, while the parks were full of songs of awakening birds. The streets were full of hustle and bustle of people commuting to work.
Noam spent the day around the old city of Jerusalem with his dad, a Tour Guide, and his group of 15 English-speaking tourists. During the day, they walked along the top of the old city walls, visited historical sites, and wandered through what seemed to Noam never-ending markets. The colors and smells from the souvenir shops and food stands took him for a spin. What most surprised him was the multitude of people, dressed in many outfits and speaking languages he had never heard before. He took pictures with in all four quarters, on rooftops, in the markets, by the holy sepulcher, and of course in front of the Western Wall.
Hadas spent the day with her mom in one of the newly constructed tall glass buildings in the Har Hotzvim Hi-Tech Park. Amidst cubicles, meeting rooms, and computer labs, she witnessed the determination of the workers striving to find solutions to the growing demand for smart and sustainable transportation. Projects planned in Jerusalem and executed all over the world. Hadas was most excited to see the plans of the Jerusalem light rail, the same one she used this morning on her way to work.
Tal went from office to office in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament building. His dad, an assistant to the minister of education of the State of Israel, was counting the supporters of their new bill. It was exciting to sit in the gallery of the Knesset plenum when the bill passed with a majority of 80%. He was proud of his dad, and his little lesson of democracy.
Shira went from one construction site to another with her mom, an architect, who loved seeing the city being built up. They visited sites all over the city. A new residential complex that rises high above the city in the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood, an old Templar home being renovated in the German Colony. New kindergartens preparing for the next school year in Kiryat Hayovel, Gilo, and Beit Safafa, and basketball courts added to existing high schools. Shira was amazed by all the new places they visited and could not imagine what the city would look like when she grew up.
Noga spent the day at the bank in the city center, while Yoav spent the day at the pool teaching kids to swim. Ittai serviced guests at the King David Hotel, while Tali sold subscriptions for the Jerusalem Theater. Matan and Shiri‘s parents were commuters and worked in Tel Aviv. So instead, Shiri’s mom took them around the city for a Jerusalem fun day of shopping at the Malcha Mall, and an Hapoel Jerusalem basketball game at the Arena, across the road from the Teddy Stadium.
Asaf‘s parents ran an accounting firm. Throughout the day, many people came in with paperwork for the end-of-the-month tax report. Each one who came introduced themselves and bragged about their businesses in Jerusalem: the cab driver who knew every street in the city, the flower stand owner who sold flowers for Shabbat holidays and special occasions, the market basta-stall owner who came in with a lawyer who was a weekly client, and the young photographer who captured events around the city and was working on his first Jerusalem photo album. As they came and went, they offered, and Asaf promised to visit them on his vacation, and planned another day around the city.
The following morning, as the children entered the classroom, they were greeted by a new board adorning the wall labeled “My Day at Work in Jerusalem.” Excited chatter filled the room as they gathered around, eagerly sharing their pictures. Morah Ella entered, offering a warm “Shalom, kids!” above the bustling sounds. “Come grab a thumbtack from me and find a spot to display your picture proudly.” And so, one by one, the wall started to fill with snapshots of their experiences.
Boaz put up a picture with his dad, a researcher and professor at Hebrew University, between the large bookshelves of the National Library with the Israel Museum peeking in the background through the window.
Adi found a spot for a picture with her mom on a Jerusalem bus on the way to their family cafe downtown.
In Nitzan’s picture, she is wearing a white gown among the doctors and nurses of Shaare Zedek Hospital. In the background, one can sense the excitement of families welcoming their newest newborn member to their family.
Uri is holding up an ancient coin he unearthed with his dad, a prominent archaeologist in Ir David, one of the ancient sites in Jerusalem.
Eitan placed a picture of his father in front of City Hall, showing him adorned in his blue police uniform, next to a picture of Ariel dressed as a paramedic in an ambulance with her dad. Both were shining with pride over the responsibility for the safety and security of Jerusalem that lay in their hands.
Standing next to his mother adorned in a black gown, Roi’s picture was taken in the beautiful halls of the Israel Supreme Court.
Lavi and Yael put their pictures next to each other. Each in their parent’s school classroom. Lavi in an all-boys Haredi–Ultra-Orthodox school, and Yael in a school in East Jerusalem with students from the Jerusalem-Arab population. ‘Make room’ Tamara announced, as she tagged along with her picture playing in the playground with the young kids of her mom’s kindergarten.
Gilad walked in with muddy boots, a pot of flowers, and a picture of himself gardening in Jerusalem. He showed everyone the blisters on his hands and announced, “After working hard, we visited the botanical gardens – and I brought these Rakafot – Cyclamens for the class”.
As the pictures went up, Morah Ella was excited. It seemed the kids had a wonderful day and were excited to share their experiences. It was a great collage of the kids and of Jerusalem. And so, with hearts full of joy and memories to last a lifetime, the children celebrated their day in Jerusalem, a city filled with history, culture, and endless possibilities.
