Grapevine: Entreaty en masse

France Square has been the venue for some very large demonstrations, but it’s doubtful any past gathering could equal the massive display of solidarity that brought a multitude of people of all ages – from children to white-haired senior citizens, from ultra-Orthodox to ultra-secular– there on Saturday night.

At least an hour prior to the arrival of the four mothers who led a march from the Chords Bridge at the city entrance to the rally, more than 1,000 people had gathered in a large stretch of Keren Hayesod Street and part of Agron, virtually surrounding the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism – a little farther away from the prime minister’s private residence than the usual gathering place on Ramban Street, around the corner from his official residence.

Led by Anat Angrest, who has become a keynote speaker of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, speakers demanded an immediate deal to bring home all hostages, living and dead. Nothing is more important, they insisted, as a deal could have been reached months ago, they insisted.

American banknotes include the inscription “In God We Trust,” but one of the speakers, in an appeal in English to US President Donald Trump, declared “in Trump we trust,” and entreated him to use his influence to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. Projected on the walls of the Fuchsberg Center were slogans such as “Enough of War” and “Enough of Abandonment.”

From time to time, the crowd chanted “Achshav!” (Now!), in response to demands for an immediate agreement to a deal that will bring home the hostages; or “You are not alone; we are with you.”

In addition to the speeches, video clips were shown on a large screen of scenes from the Hamas assault on the Supernova music festival; the return of some of the hostages and the joyful reunion with their families; the funerals of those who returned in coffins; and recent footage released by Hamas showing suffering hostages. Interspersed were scenes of the march from the bridge.

Prayers will take place in a large, air-conditioned tent behind the Chabad of Rechavia and Nahlaot building at 2 Ibn Ezra Street, just off the corner of Keren Kayemet Boulevard.

“Everyone is welcome,” said Goldberg, who announced that there will be additional shofar blowing at several locations at 5 p.m. on September 23 and 24, the first and second days of Rosh Hashanah, for people unable to get to services or who arrived at services too late to hear the shofar.

For further information and to reserve a seat, go to Chabad of Rechavia on Facebook.

■ THE NIGHTMARE has arrived. Double-page advertisements in Jerusalem weekly newspapers announced the commencement of work on the light rail on Keren Hayesod Street and King George Avenue next week, and the diversion of bus routes that run through them. It is to be hoped that every tourist arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport will be given a leaflet detailing the changes, which will be difficult enough for locals to absorb.

Anyone walking along King George Avenue cannot help but notice the escalation in the number of shops that have been vacated. But one relatively new facility in a residential building there, near the corner of Hillel, has a huge sign outside. It is the Nefesh B’Nefesh home for lone young women who are engaged in National Service.

On another positive note, city street signs in Hebrew, Arabic, and English will be posted in greater numbers. But Jerusalem would do well to emulate Tel Aviv, where street signs include numbers of buildings from one block to the next. And in Tel Aviv, the address numbers on buildings are much more visible than those in Jerusalem.

The attendance numbers for this year are not finalized, but the opening program on Wednesday, October 8, definitely is. In addition to the pilgrims from abroad, the celebration will be attended by members of Knesset, Christian Allies Caucus leaders, and Christian and Jewish community leaders, as well as members of the diplomatic community. The opening event is always marked by first-class entertainment.

This year, the opening program will be held at the Vert Hotel, from where everyone will subsequently proceed next door to the Jerusalem International Convention Center. There, the traditional Roll Call of the Nations ceremony will take place, and participants from each country, holding their national flags aloft, will take to the stage.

■ “FORSAKE ME not in my old age,” which is part of Psalm 71, is also part of the High Holy Day liturgy and is sung at slihot (penitential) services during the month of Elul. It was sung last week at the Jerusalem International Convention Center by composer and songwriter Avihu Medina, who specializes in melodies of a Middle Eastern genre. Medina was participating in a concert of Mediterranean music that was initiated and organized by the Ben-Zvi Institute.

Medina, of Yemenite ancestry on both sides of his family, was born in Tel Aviv a few months after the establishment of the state; but in his mannerisms, tunes, and way of speaking, he is almost a reincarnation of his Yemenite forebears.

When he started to sing “Do not cast me off in my old age” (“Al Tashliheni”), the audience became very emotional and gave him a standing ovation. Actor Ofer Hayoun, who co-hosted the program with singer and actress Galit Giat, was backstage during the performance and burst into tears. His father died three weeks previously, and Hayoun and his family were extremely moved by Medina’s rendition of the song.