A letter from the Mayor

Today I received a letter from the Mayor of Jerusalem. 

In addition to encouraging a sense of togetherness, it obviously includes some backslapping for the council. The letter came in the same envelope as my city tax bill, so I guess that explains it. 

Nonetheless, I think it gives some insight into what's been going on in Jerusalem these last few months. 

Attached is my translation of the letter into English.

(The Hebrew original is attached; double-click to enlarge it).

 

Jerusalem

Mayor’s Office

 

 

Dear residents of Jerusalem,

 

The people and the country of Israel are undergoing difficult times, and that includes us Jerusalemites. But these difficulties are also a reason for optimism and hope.

 

During this period, the residents of Jerusalem have displayed maturity, responsibility, an enormous heart and a spirit of volunteerism like no other. We always knew that Jerusalem was a city of lions*, and now the whole world knows it!

*[The lion is the symbol of Jerusalem/Judea, and represents pride, strength, courage, and royalty. AM].

 

In Jerusalem, centres for assisting the war effort have been as productive as a whole country, taking care of soldiers, evacuees, families of soldiers in reserve duty and many others. These centres have popped up in every corner of the City, and are all run with love by volunteers.

 

Jerusalemites have, in a very real sense, given their blood in the donation centre set up together with the MDA. Since the first day of the war, the dedicated workers of the Jerusalem municipality have been at the front line of such activities and have been working unceasingly, around the clock.

 

The Municipality opened all its bomb shelters on the first day of the war, and by the morning, patrols had gone out safeguarding all the neighbourhoods on the seam.

 

The Municipality established a set of first responder units, comprising volunteers and armed citizens, to strengthen the sense of security in the city.

 

Our schools have returned to regular schedules and we are trying to live life as normally as possible, taking into account the national emergency.

 

Our city hosts more than 20,000 people who have come from both the south and the north and, in the true spirit of hospitality, we have been arranging to provide them with things they are lacking.

 

The City and its residents have paid an unbearably difficult price in this conflict. I have comforted the bereaved families and have done everything in my power to give them strength.

 

Together with you, I expect and pray for the return of all the kidnapped hostages, and for the return home and safety of the soldiers of the IDF and the security forces.

 

Wherever you’re from in the City and in Jerusalem society we are strong and our city is strong. Together we will get through this war and come out of it stronger and even more united.

 

God willing, together we will win.

 

Sincerely,

Moshe Lion