It's early morning, and I have just put out my laundry in the sunshine to dry.
The scenery now before me is very different from the past 4 months, when I was temporarily living just across from the beautiful Sea of Galilee.
Now I’m in a charming small Airbnb garden apartment with lots of trees and flowers and a very kind couple who are presently hosting me.
This apartment has become my “welcome home to Jerusalem” for 16 days.
It was previously a much-needed season of “goodbye, I’ll see you later” in Jerusalem, and after five months in Tiberias, my return to Jerusalem has been filled with tremendous gratitude and excitement. The reason is that it was time to return home to the city that has now become an inseparable part of my name as “Jerusalem Jane.”
Yesterday, I went out into the city I have driven through many times before, but this time it was a special homecoming, as I rode bus Number 3 toward the Western Wall Plaza.
As I drove past the Hinnom Valley, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, and finally the huge Western Wall at the Temple Mount, my heart beat fast, and I felt a profound peace and love that filled my soul and body.
Especially when you think of all the history in this area, it is just fascinating!
The bus was filled with religious Jews wearing black; most of them were women. I stood out with my European looks, which included my blonde hair and green eyes, and I caught the attention of this cute toddler in a stroller.
His gaze also caught my attention, as he was smiling from ear to ear as he looked at me. So, we had a few laughs together while the bus stopped, due to a large crowd of men making their way to a funeral that was about to take place on the Mount of Olives.
'Lump in my throat' at Western Wall Plaza
As I went through the security checkpoint and into the plaza of the Western Wall, I felt a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, as my heart stirred to finally be there again.
I made a social media video about being back in this sacred place, then sat in a chair to watch all the incredible, beautiful ladies and young women who arrived at the Western Wall.
They were with me on the women’s side of the partition, as they took part in family celebrations, such as bar mitzvahs that were taking place in the men’s section. It’s always such a joyful occasion, and my heart leaped as I watched them on this great day, cheering and singing.
Sitting quietly and observing all these ladies made me think we need so many more tourists to come back, and I was also praying for the Holy Land and the upcoming election. I also sent up prayers for our brave security forces still fighting and operating in the battlefields of Gaza and Lebanon.
I fervently poured my heart out to the Lord about the things hidden in the deepest parts of my soul that only He knows, and then I prayed for all the incredible people who follow me on social media around the world. I concluded by also praying for myself as Jerusalem Jane, and my vision of moving forward to speak up for Israel, which is such an honor for me.
Eventually, I made my way up to the wall and just briefly touched it before I stepped back to give space for the other women waiting in line. There is something profound and sobering about standing at that sacred spot, knowing the history of the two majestic temples that were the house of the Lord, only to be besieged and destroyed by foreign invaders. Such thoughts grip every fiber of your soul!
As time passed, I realized I had left my place without bringing any water, so I made my way out and took bus Number 1 up to City Hall. After I stepped off the bus, I slowly walked down Yaffa Street, while taking in the smell, sounds, and sights along the way.
I also made more videos to share with my followers, and then I made my way to the Post Office and emptied my PO box. Then, while shopping in my favorite store, I suddenly felt a shiver down my spine when I remembered what happened the last time I was there.
Here I was, on a beautiful August day, wearing my summer dress, but the last time I was there, it was in the month of March, when we were at war with Iran. I was checking out while receiving incoming missile alerts on my phone.
On that March day, I had walked out the door, and the sirens quickly started to wail, and people were running helter-skelter from all directions, because all of us were seeking shelter in the parking garage under City Hall.
While this chaotic scene played out, a ballistic missile from Iran was intercepted right above our heads. I will never forget that loud explosion. It carves a place into your soul that you can see, feel, and relive again and again!
It was very peculiar to think back on that scenario replaying in my mind as I finished my shopping, and then I went back out onto Yaffa Street. I watched all the families being outside on this last day of summer vacation, before all the kiddos went back to school.
I observed and videotaped the people being out and about, such as the people sitting at the cafés and enjoying lunch that appeared to be falafel, coffee, and pastries. What a completely different contrast to the scenario when we were at war with Iran.
Typically in the month of August, it would seem natural to see people walking down Yaffa Street and coming to Zion Square, or to wander along the famous shopping street that is named Ben Yehuda Street.
The place would normally be busy and hopping with tourists, but unfortunately it’s still not the case. We cannot wait for tourists to come back and walk in the awe and wonder that is the Holy Land.
The tourist industry has suffered tremendously over the last three years; I cannot emphasize enough how much we need you to come back!
I can now hear singing from a nearby school, as today is a very festive day for some 2.6 million students starting the 2026-2027 school year, from kindergarten through all levels of schooling, including some 180,000 first-graders.
What is catching my attention is how many of the children are only being accompanied by their moms, because their fathers are defending Israel against Hezbollah and Hamas, while stationed in Lebanon and Gaza.
Here in Israel, everything is complex - and good always comes with the bad.
For example, the first day of school for 2026 is the sobering memory of a devastating day in Israel. On this same day two years ago, I reported all day long. It was one of the most heartbreaking days, and I will never forget it.
Three police officers were brutally murdered in a shooting terror attack: Chief Inspector Arik Ben Eliyahu, 37; Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, 53; and First Sgt. Roni Shakuri, 61.
Ben Eliyahu, from Kiryat Gat, is survived by his wife and three children. Hadas Branch, from Sde Moshe, is survived by her husband, three children, and a granddaughter. Roni Shakuri, from Sderot, is survived by his wife, a daughter, and a granddaughter. His daughter was killed by Hamas on October 7.
The bodies of hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino were found in the Gaza Strip.
All but one of the recovered hostages were taken from the Nova music festival on October 7.
They were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists - on this day, two years later, I honor their memory!
May the children of Israel be protected and blessed in this new school year; may our brave IDF troops defeat our enemies; may God protect them all and help them return home to their families; may God comfort all of the grieving families; and may all of the amazing tourists from around the world start to pour into Israel once again.