Dear GA, What Did You Notice, What Will You Remember?
Real Jstreets
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The 82nd Annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America was held in Jerusalem, Israel this week and has ended. Brian of London wrote up PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s well attended speech of the opening night.
The following day there were lots of speeches, by lots of important people, on lots of topics.
The packed program called the “Global Jewish Shuk: A Marketplace of Dialogue and Debate” ended with a walk to the Western Wall.
Not as many people were around the third day for those closing ceremonies.
Many in the group stopped here to take photos, a truly an impressive view.
That really is the Mount of Olives, the ancient Jewish cemetery on the hill in the background.
Though in this sunset photo, I think it looks like a painted backdrop at a Bar Mitzavh party.
But most of them were posing for a picture is this direction toward Silwan.
I wonder how many realized the uniqueness of this spot?
It is probably the only location in the world, where every direction is east.
Anyway, it got me to thinking about what people take home in their photos and remember.
Did anyone else notice this young woman walking alone with her shopping bags
in the government square as hundreds of Jews were coming in her direction?
Or how about these Arab women?
They certainly noticed the hundreds of Jews waving US and Israeli flags,
did the marchers in their excitement notice them standing outside the Walls of the Old City?
Just one more, though I could go on and on
. 
These Arab boys certainly noticed all the Israeli flags and the people waving them.
Jewish community leaders from around the world left Israel to return to their homes,
but what did they notice and what will they remember?
Because today, darn it, 19 years old is still a boy,
a young soldier was killed as he slept on a bus,
and Arab leaders are praising his murderer.
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