Grapevine: Night train

It all depends on the security situation. If it does take place, Jerusalem marathon veterans will find themselves running alongside light rail construction for part of the route along Keren Hayesod Street and King George.

On the day of the marathon, several streets will be closed to traffic from 5 a.m. These include Ruppin Boulevard; the Hebrew University’s Safra campus; Netanel Lorch; Rabin Boulevard; Haim Hazaz Boulevard; Tchernichovsky; HaPalmah; Aza; HaNasi; Keren Hayesod; King George; Jaffa Road; Tzahal Square; HaTzanhanim; Haim Bar-Lev Boulevard; George Adam Smith; Lehi; Martin Buber; Binyamin Mazar; Churchill; Kariv; Jaffa Gate; the Armenian Patriarchate; Zion Gate; Hativat Yerushalaim; King David Street; Jabotinsky; Chopin; Dubnov; Gretz; Emek Refaim; Derech HaRakevet; Derech Beit Lechem; David Remez; Derech Hevron; Yanovsky; Yehuda; Pierre Koenig; Elazar Hamodai; Kovshei Katamon; Yehoshua Yavin; and Sacher Park.

Traffic disruptions are also expected on streets adjacent to the marathon routes. Vehicles parked along the marathon routes will not be permitted to leave until the event has ended and the streets have been reopened.

The light rail will operate along two routes: one from Hel Ha’avir station to Givat Hatahmoshet station, and the other from the Central Bus Station to Mount Herzl station. For further information about the light rail, call CityPass: *3686.

Bus lines transporting passengers to and from Givat Hatahmoshet and the Central Bus Station are 66, 66A, 45, and 25. They will pass through the city center and the Mahaneh Yehuda market. There will be changes to several public transportation lines. For information on bus lines in general, phone Egged: *2800.

For additional information, call the Municipal Information Center at 106, or go to the municipal website www.jerusalem-marathon.co.il

If all goes according to plan, the marathon is likely to be more low key than in past years due to the difficulties involved in traveling to Israel, though some foreign enthusiasts may find a way.

Israel Railways this week extended its service to around the clock, though it’s a long wait between trains. The night trains will run once every hour in both directions. The route will enable connections to Beersheba, the Navon Station in Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion Airport, Savidor Station in North Tel Aviv, and the Hof HaCarmel Station in Haifa.

The direct line between Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion Airport, and Savidor Station will also be running. Passengers are reminded that this additional service will cease with the return of a safe security situation.

Whatever the circumstance, transport arrangements are prone to change, so it is advisable to check the Israel Railways website for updates before leaving home: www.rail.co.il/en.

The government may be slow in compensating citizens whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Iranian and Hezbollah missiles, but the Jerusalem-headquartered Jewish Agency, understanding how important it is for people to live in their own homes, has launched a Roaring Lion Fund with the help of Jewish Federations in North America, Keren Hayesod, the World Zionist Organization, and additional donors.

The fund reflects the Jewish principle of mutual responsibility.

It will provide emergency grants to bereaved families who lost loved ones in missile attacks, as well as to those wounded and those still recuperating, and those unable to live in their damaged homes.

Considering how many millions of dollars American Jewish and non-Jewish organizations and individuals have donated to Israel since Oct. 7, 2023, it is quite remarkable to see how quickly and how generously they have responded to a new need.

Organizers of the fund, who are also implementing it, are coordinating their efforts with the government and with local authorities

Each family that is eligible will receive an immediate emergency grant of NIS 4,000, which will be transferred directly to their bank account.

In addition to financial assistance, The Jewish Agency will offer emotional resilience services to those affected, which include individual support, workshops, and group therapy designed to strengthen long-term well-being.

These programs will be implemented in coordination with local municipalities, which will assist in identifying eligible participants and connecting them to The Jewish Agency’s resilience framework.

At the same time, hundreds of Jewish Agency emissaries around the world continue to share Israel’s story globally while strengthening Jewish communities facing increased terror threats and antisemitism.

Mark Wilf, chairman of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency, emphasizes that the fund is yet another example of Jewish solidarity and embodies mutual commitment among Jews.

“We are measured by our actions,” adds Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog.

Many people's Seder night plans may change due to the situation, especially for those who have to walk a long distance to and from the Seder.