Favorites of Jerusalem Purim 2025 in Photos

Purim is a major festival time in Jerusalem, Israel.

Even though we celebrated this year on a day when the Megillah Esther was not read,

on the Jerusalem streets, it is hard to miss the color and celebrations.

Store windows are lined with food gift baskets of all sizes to give as Mishloah Manot.

Readings for Megillah Esther seem to be everywhere and every hour in some neighborhoods.

We went to a small synagogue this year where red hats were in vogue in various styles. We were able to hear every word. In many larger congregations, the noisemakers drown out the reader.

Some masks were good disguise, but not so pleasant,

but this woman’s mask was a Purim favorite.

This year Purim stretched over 3 days from Thursday night to Sunday night. However, Sunday was when the main events were held on the Jerusalem streets, with a Purim Parade starting in the morning and dancing in the streets into the afternoon.

The police band led off the parade, with the yellow ribbon for the hostages behind, followed by the Mayor and honored guests, the families of hostages.

The Train Theater developed dozens of new floats. This guy was a favorite of mine.,

Her smile at the start of the Parade was also a favorite.

Characters in costume interacted with the thousands of spectators of all ages that lined the route.

Imagine walking the Jerusalem streets on stilts! I have enough trouble in flat shoes.

One colorful creation after another, some hard to describe,

moved slowly along the Jerusalem streets.

Short ones and long ones, dozens of creations to entertain on Purim.

These young acrobats were impressive to watch as they flipped along the Jerusalem streets.

This man won my best spectator hat prize, I wish I had captured the plant before or after he passed the tree so you could see the forest on his head more clearly.

Some spectators’ costumes were as impressive as the parade participants,

like this guy who walked by – oh my.

There was a new huge yellow lion this year,

plus little ducks in a row.

Even a live animal walking along with the hundreds of people in the parade was appreciated.

Colorfully dressed belly dancers performed as they walked,

while agile young athletes did impressive stunts.

And yes, Spider-Man was there, along with the white doves, marchers, floats, and more.

It was warm and sunny and a great day for a parade,

but that was not all…

We went to a family Purim Seuda, a holiday meal with lots of grilled meats and salads.

However, this was not our family meal.

As Purim was ending, President Herzog hosted an elegant Iftar, a Ramadan break fast meal, at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, for Israeli and Arab leaders.

I recognized and got a smile from IDF Arabic spokesperson Colonel Avichay Adrae.

The dessert looked amazing but after eating all day, it was time to go home and not try the treats.

I went by this sign on the way home, “Am Yisrael Chai” Israel has been at war for over 500 days with 59 hostages, but life goes on on the Jerusalem streets as thousands of our finest risk their lives in the north and south on reserve duty. Their young families try to keep going on the home front.

Purim is a day of upside-downs, but that was not all…

It’s not easy, and hard to believe – but the Nation of Israel not only lives but thrives.