JerUSAlem-USA: From Participatory Art to Virtual Cyberangel Flights

jerUSAlem-usa was created by artist Mel Alexenberg as a participatory art project that invited residents and visitors to the 20 places in USA named Jerusalem to document their experiences through photographs and texts that tell the stories of how the places got the name "Jerusalem." There are JerUSAlems in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, and Vermont. 

As digital technologies developed, the project evolved into cyberangel flights from Jerusalem in Israel to museums in the states with places named "Jerusalem." 

See Mel Alexenberg's article on the 20 Jerusalems in USA and documentation of all the virtual flights at Global Tribute to Rembrandt. Read about the background for the spiritual dimensions of the new media age in his book Through a Bible Lens.

Locations of Jerusalems in USA
Jerusalem, Alabama, [Place] is in Lawrence County; location is 34°42'18"N 87°13'37"W
Jerusalem, Arkansas, [Place] is in Conway County; location is 35°24'17"N 92°49'0"W; Zip Code is 72080
Jerusalem, Georgia, [Place] is in Camden County; location is 30°58'41"N 81°50'45"W
Jerusalem, Georgia, [Place] is in Pickens County; location is 34°26'30"N 84°34'56"W
Jerusalem, Maryland, [Place] is in Baltimore County; location is 39°27'46"N 76°23'22"W
Jerusalem, Maryland, [Place] is in Frederick County; location is 39°31'27"N 77°34'49"W
Jerusalem, Maryland, [Place] is in Harford County; location is 39°27'46"N 76°23'22"W
Jerusalem, Maryland, [Place] is in Montgomery County; location is 39°9'33"N 77°24'23"W
Jerusalem, Michigan, [Place] is in Washtenaw County; location is 42°16'29"N 83°58'55"W
Jerusalem, New York, [Township] is in Yates County; location is 42°37'13"N 77°8'35"W; Zip Code is 14418
Jerusalem Corners, New York, [Hamlet] is in the Town of Evans in Erie County; location is 42°40'93"N 79°00'98"W
Jerusalem, North Carolina, [Place] is in Davie County; location is 35°48'54"N 80°30'57"W
Jerusalem, Ohio, [Populated Place] is in Monroe County; location is 39°51'6"N 81°5'33"W
Jerusalem, Ohio, [Village]; location is 39°51'N 81°6'W; Zip Code is 43747
Jerusalem, Rhode Island, [Place] is in Washington County; location is 41°22'36"N 71°31'5"W
Jerusalem, Tennessee, [Place] is in Lincoln County; location is 35°14'36"N 86°47'4"W
Jerusalem, Utah, [Place] is in Sanpete County; location is 39°33'50"N 111°39'25"W
Jerusalem, Vermont, [Place] is in Addison County; location is 44°10'11"N 72°58'15"W
Jerusalem, Vermont, [Place] is in Windsor County; location is 43°50'18"N 72°46'27"W

The images below show Jerusalem, Rhode Island, and Jerusalem, Michigan

Cyberangels on the cover of Prof. Mel Alexenberg’s book Through a Bible Lens: Biblical Insights for Smartphone Photography and Social Media ascend from Jerusalem in Israel as in the biblical account of Jacob’s dream. They come down into art museums in the twelve states in USA in which there are places named “Jerusalem.” 

The United States of America is the only country in the world whose people’s love for the Bible and for Jerusalem in the Land of Israel has prompted them to create twenty new Jerusalems in the New World.

“My heart yearns for Jerusalem. I will not stop praying for her until righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch.” (Isaiah 62:1)

The mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barakat wrote: “December 6, 2017 will be remembered in history for decades and centuries to come as that day the president of the free world stood on the side of truth – recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the State of Israel. For 3,000 years, the center of Jewish life, prayer and history has been the city of Jerusalem.”

“If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.” (Psalm 137:5-6)

Jerusalem is mentioned 667 times in the Hebrew Bible. Since King David moved the capital of Israel to Jerusalem more than 3,000 years ago, It has never been the capital of any other country.