Every year, Jews in Israel and around the world mark Jerusalem Day. Some wave flags through the streets of the city. Others pray at the Western Wall. But if you don’t live in Jerusalem, and maybe have never even visited, you might ask: what does this day have to do with me?
The answer lies not just in the city’s stones but in its soul.
Jerusalem isn’t just Israel’s capital. It’s the beating heart of the Jewish people. That connection stretches across time: past, present, and future. Celebrating Jerusalem Day means connecting with thousands of years of Jewish memory, longing, and hope. And that connection matters, no matter where you are.
A City Etched in Our Story
Jerusalem shows up early in Jewish history. King David made it the capital. King Solomon built the Temple. Prophets praised it and wept for it. Generations of Jews turned their bodies and prayers toward it.
“Next year in Jerusalem” is not just on Passover and Yom Kippur, but also at weddings, holidays, and moments of spiritual depth. When we break a glass, we remember its destruction. We fast to mourn its loss. And we celebrate its rebirth.
Jerusalem is not just geography. Its identity.
Even in exile, Jews held on to it. In Morocco and Minsk, Baghdad and Brooklyn, Jerusalem stayed in our prayers and in our hearts. It sat at the center of our dreams and daily rituals.
Why Jerusalem Day Matters
So why does this day still matter if you’re miles away from Jerusalem? Why Jerusalem Day matters is about more than geography. It’s about memory, identity, and connection. It’s a reminder that Jerusalem has always been more than a place; it’s a spiritual anchor that lives in our prayers, our stories, and our hopes for the future.
In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israeli forces regained access to the Old City. The Western Wall stood waiting. Soldiers cried. Radios echoed the words, “The Temple Mount is in our hands.” For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, Jews could walk freely in the heart of Jerusalem again.
Jerusalem Day doesn’t just mark a military victory. It celebrates a spiritual return. A moment when ancient longing became living reality. And that moment belongs to every Jew, no matter where they live.
Why Jerusalem Day Still Matters
You might never have walked through the alleys of the Old City. You might have only seen photos of the Kotel. But Jerusalem lives inside every Jew.
When you light candles for Shabbat, you face Jerusalem. When you pray, you turn your body in its direction. That’s not a symbol. That’s a declaration: I’m part of this story.
Jerusalem reminds us that the Jewish people are more than a religion. We’re a people with a place, with a shared past and future. Celebrating Jerusalem Day is a way to say, “I remember.” It’s a way to honor the hopes of exiles and the unity that returned in June 1967.
How to Celebrate from Afar
You don’t need to be in Jerusalem to mark the day. You can:
- Learn about Jerusalem’s Jewish history
- Watch videos of the 1967 moment and reflect on what it meant
- Say a prayer for the city’s peace
- Light a candle and take a quiet moment to connect
- Share your thoughts, stories, or memories of Jerusalem with others
These small acts can bring you closer to the heart of the city, even from far away.
Jerusalem Belongs to All of Us
In today’s world, people often question the Jewish connection to Israel. Some challenge even the link to Jerusalem. That’s why celebrating this day matters more than ever. Not for politics, but for pride. For presence. For continuity.
Jerusalem doesn’t belong to one time or one group. It belongs to the Jewish people. To those who dream of her, defend her, and pray for her peace.
This Jerusalem Day, lift your eyes toward the east. Remember the city of gold. The city of yearning. The city that never let go of us.
Celebrate not because you live there, but because it lives in you.
Photo credit: Canva
