Security on Shushan Purim

Dozens of missiles keep coming from Gaza into many parts of southern Israel.

Jerusalem was on a high security alert for the Purim holiday

and there were more police uniforms in sight than usual.

Near Jaffa Gate, an ad for a food festival in the Old City was hard to miss,

but as Muslim prayers ended on Friday, security was hard to find.

Not the regular security in Malcha Mall

or selling bread in the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

Most of the world celebrates Purim for one night and the following day…

in Jerusalem it goes on and on.

First there are weeks of school events, then the Fast of Esther on Thursday,

and the megillah, the story of Purim, is read three days later on Sunday night.

Mishloach manot, gifts of food, are delivered on Monday.

On Shushan Purim, March 21,  Mamilla Mall

fills with colorful characters large

and small.

There is face painting,

more costumes,

and photo opportunities.

The large crowds

include everyone from Spiderman to

this Aussie bloke

and a mystery man.

It is way too warm for a real snow ball fight at Kikar Safra,  

Safra Square’s snow and ice event,

so there are cotton ball fights instead.

But on Shushan Purim

the place to be

is on nearby Shushan Street!

The little side street is packed

with people

enjoying

the many street performers

and entertainers.

Even this Purim post is going on and on...

and everything from the buses

to pets are in holiday mode.

It is such a colorful day.

A  light rail train near Shushan had to make an emergency stop,

and security is called…

to remove a party hat from the track.

Music fills many Jerusalem streets and goes on well into the night.

What next?

What could be bigger?

Friday the city will come to a complete standstill 

for the first Jerusalem full marathon;

if you cannot walk or run…better to just stay home.

More Purim photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets’ Facebook page.