Yom Yerushalayim — The City That Teaches Us to Remember, Return, and Become One

 Yerushalayim is not merely a city of stone, walls, and history. Yerushalayim lives inside the Jewish soul. For thousands of years Jews turned toward her in prayer, cried for her at weddings, mourned her destruction, and whispered, “Next year inYerushalayim.” In this special Yom Yerushalayim Breakfast and a class, weexplore why the Torah hides the name of Yerushalayim, why Yosef and Binyamincried for the future destruction of the Bet HaMikdash at the very moment ofreunion, and why Chazal insisted that even our greatest moments of joy mustalways contain remembrance of the Ḥurban.   But this morning’s class became something more personal and emotional. AsYerushalayim began celebrating, messages arrived from family and friendsalready dancing in the streets along Yafo Road. Grandchildren waving flags inthe streets of the Holy City. Friends who simply could not stay away any longerand rushed back to Yerushalayim just to be there for Yom Yerushalayim. Togetherwe reflect on the astonishing reality that the prophecies of Zechariah areunfolding before our eyes — children once again filling the streets ofYerushalayim with laughter and joy. This is a class about memory, redemption,Jewish unity, and the extraordinary privilege of living in a generationwatching history return home.