Israeli leaders and groups around the world marked the 68th anniversary of VE Day yesterday, a commemoration of Nazi Germany’s surrender. Each year, the anniversary is marked in the Jewish state by parades and celebrations, where Jewish vets come out to remember the victory. “I call on you, young people standing here today: Look toward these fighters, look into their eyes and know that they are role models,” Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said yesterday at one such rally. Hundreds marched in the …More

As Jerusalemites gathered today to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to the annual commemoration with a special pre-celebration at Mount Herzl. Currently in China on a diplomatic trip, Netanyahu honored the day early, hosting his weekly cabinet meeting at the Mount on Sunday. The meeting inaugurated a new museum at the site, and Bibi invited Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to the event, using the occasion to highlight the capital’s importance to the Jewish …More

More young people are choosing to live in Jerusalem than in recent years. The data was released this week by the Central Bureau of Statistics in honor of Jerusalem Day, which will be celebrated tomorrow. The report also showed signs that the city is on an upward track in regard to population as well as attractiveness as a place of residence. The CBS found that 88 percent of those living in the city are pleased with Jerusalem as a whole, a figure that is two percent higher than those living in Tel Aviv and four …More

Nir Barkat has plenty of reason to advocate for Jerusalem. Not only is he local mayor of the city, but he was also raised there. Barkat was born in 1959 and moved with his family to the Israeli capital at a young age. At the age of 18, he joined the Paratroopers Brigade of the IDF, where he served for a total of six years, more than the compulsory time. Barkat was promoted to the rank of Major and received a bachelor’s degree in computer science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He used those …More

The city of Jerusalem is moving forward with a plan to build a cable car system that will bring visitors to and from the Western Wall. One line will connect Dung Gate (the Old City gate closest to the Western Wall) with the Mount of Olives to the east, and a second line will connect Dung Gate with the Khan Theater on Hinnom Ridge to the west, Israel Hayom reported. The system will be able to transport 6,000 passengers per hour. Each of the 1.6 kilometer routes will take around four minutes to …More

Israel honored Earth Day today with a slew of activities to highlight the Jewish state’s efforts toward green living. Israeli singer Ivri Lider headed an event in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square, which was powered entirely through renewable energy. Last night, businesses and homes also participated in “Earth Hour,” turning off lights for a full hour to respect the day. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat took part in the observance, overseeing the shutting down of city lights at the Old City …More

Snow in the desert isn’t unheard of, but it is certainly an unusual occurrence. Jerusalem residents were treated to an atypical snowfall today, as turbulent storms in the region turned from raindrops to flakes. The snow caused road closures Wednesday with courts also closed due to the weather. In the Golan Heights, three feet of snow was reported on Mount Hermon, with areas like the Galilee, Nazareth and Beit El also experiencing snow. West Bank areas like Hebron and Ramallah are covered in white this …More

A bronze bust of Winston Churchill has been installed in Jerusalem, as a nod to the late British leader’s commitment to the Jewish state. The bust was placed in the Montefiore Gardens, overlooking the Tower of David. It was made possible through the works of local leaders and the Jerusalem Foundation. "During times like these, when the free world is faced with the threat of a nuclear Iran and global terrorism, it is important to preserve Churchill's legacy, having led the world to victory against the Nazi …More

In the vein of the viral sensation that won’t die, a new Israeli parody of “Gangnam Style” entitled “Jerusalem Syndrome Gangnam Style” has been released. Set to take on “This is Jewish Style,” this video may be too little too late. Despite featuring flash mob participants strutting their “horse riding skills” in different locations throughout Jerusalem, even touting a cameo by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, the video is just more of what you have already …More

An $8 million environmental studies building at Hebrew University has been made possible by a past deputy mayor of New York City. Robert Price, 80, served under Mayor John Lindsay in the 60’s. Now, he’s donated millions to HU’s Givat Ram campus, making the 21,500-square-foot building possible. The facility is being built by the Council for Beautiful Israel (CBI) and will include classrooms, a visitor center and an observation deck. Price was on hand at a groundbreaking ceremony last week, …More

A massive installation piece offering 360-degree film views is on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The piece, titled “720 Degrees,” was designed by artist Ron Arad as a way to immerse visitors in the Israeli experience. The piece is made up of 5,600 silicon rods hung 26 feet in the air in a perfect circle. Viewers can experience projected film from both outside and inside the silicon rods. Projections change nightly, with film presentations from a rotating series of Israeli multimedia …More

The Bezalel Academy, Israel’s historic fine arts school, will now offer a degree track specifically designed for ultra Orthodox students. Attendees at the Oman Center in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Romema will be able to take a preparatory year starting this autumn, and join a graduate program beginning in 2013, all under the auspices of the Bezalel Academy. At the finish, the students will hold a Bezalel degree without ever setting foot on the campus. The degrees can focus on either fine arts or …More