Author: Sharon A

Favorite Purim Photos in Jerusalem and More

Sharon A

The weeks feel as if they are whizzing by, and standing still at the same time.

How can that be?

Live goes on while too many lives are stuck on October 7.

Downtown Jerusalem streets looked “normal” today with the sun shining and people shopping.

On Shushan Purim, Monday last week, the light rail was not running, there was a special Purim parade.

Call it an ‘Ad lo ya do‘ or Purim United – tens of thousands of people came out for the holiday celebration.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and his wife with hostage family members were first carrying a banner stating ‘redemption of captives is a great mitzvah’ in a giant balloon yellow ribbon.

The weather was threatening some of the time and the pace moved slower than a turtle,

But there were large puppets and people lining the Jerusalem streets to watch.

Interesting displays held by numerous people

and some spectators dressed more colorfully than the parade items.

Families in coordinated costumes waited for the parade to move along.

But street actors were on the sidelines as well to entertain.

In the media we read complaints, but the people I saw were happy to smile for the camera.

Some had their cameras ready to capture the moment.

All of Jaffa Street was crowded and waiting for what was coming next.

Not everyone walked the route, these two women had a special place to sit and ride.

This lion got a lot of pre-Purim publicity, but I had trouble getting a good photo as it moved along.

In this upside-down world, this clown was appreciated.

But I got distracted by a family, in the Purim spirit dressed in coordinated leopard spots.

At the beginning of the Purim Unity parade was a clock with the time of hostages captive in Gaza.

The donkey float, on which the Moshiach is to arrive, was surrounded by Chabad flags.

More photos of the Purim Unity parade on Facebook HERE.

This was seen in traffic on a Jerusalem street on the way home, Purim was celebrated this year, even though a somewhat subdued Purim.

Ramadan and Muslim prayers midday have attracted large crowds for the third Friday in a row. Tales of restrictions were not evident at Jaffa Gate. It was also Good Friday, and Sunday Easter was celebrated.

New art is on display at Mamilla Mall, the Beatles on a Yellow Submarine caught my attention- All you need is love. Ah if it was only so simple.

OPEN HOUSE JERUSALEM 2024 This year’s festival includes hundreds of tours and houses connecting the past, present, and future on consecutive weekends, April 4-6 and April 11-13, 2024. Fascinating tours and activities throughout the capital are free, but some need prior registration.

I was in Tel Aviv this past week for a Jerusalem Post – Women Leaders Summit.

As the sun was setting, this caught my attention – Together we will succeed!

Time marches on.

In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,

Purim is over, Passover is a month away.

Wonder what will be happening next on the Jerusalem streets, check back next week to see.

What’s Happening for Purim in Jerusalem this Year?

Sharon A

Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem on Shushan Purim – a day after the rest of the world.

As I mentioned most years, it feels so strange to those of us who grew up elsewhere.

Megilat Esther in Israel Museum

Megillat Esther, Scroll of Esther, is read at night and again during the day.

Purim past megillah reading on Jerusalem street corner

Ten years ago Chabad Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg was at a megillah reading on Azza Street.

His initiative AZZA ZAZA has grown to hourly readings, day and night, on more Jerusalem streets.

Strange creatures have been spotted on Jerusalem streets for many days before Purim.

A princess was seen in a park ably managing the play equipment in a big hoop skirt.

Make-up stores were busy before the holiday began.

Wine for the festive Purim meal was on display in Jerusalem shopping malls.

Jerusalem celebrates Purim

Remember the large sign for the Purim parade Adloyadah?

Due to complaints from hostage families, the name has been changed to the United Purim Parade.

As the hostage tragedy drags on into a sixth month, the concerns about their welfare heightens.

Hamentashen

This Purim, the fillings for hamentashen have taken less attention than in some years.

While there are many more IDF costumes this year.

Happy Purim on Jerusalem Montefiore Windmill

The Montefiore Windmill was dressed up during the pandemic when no events were allowed.

This year the Purim events in multiple locations around Jerusalem are too many to list.

Happy Purim bus sign in Hebrew

Purim Sameach!

Happy Purim!

Signs of Spring on the Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

The Jerusalem, Israel, weather is slowly changing. Sometimes many times in one day.

Spring wildflowers are popping up around the Jerusalem streets as nature continues and seasons change.

Citrus fruits are full on the trees, like these seen walking through Yemin Moshe.

The U. Nahon Museum of Jewish Italian Art in Jerusalem has a lovely courtyard.

The splendid ornate synagogue in the same building is worthy of a tour.

But going on a media tour of the new Spring Biennale made it all the more special.

This is one of 20 locations of the 30 exhibitions of contemporary Jewish art.

One highlight was Andi Arnovitz’s What We Bring. The talented artist used her wedding dress and laser-cut names on the bookbinding fabric of women from biblical times to the present.


Jews on Paper, curated by Hillel Smith and Eli Kaplan-Wildmann, line the walls of Heichel Shlomo’s lobby.

Upstairs the rooms are lined with various contemporary artworks.


A Palace in Time, the first architecture exhibition at the Jerusalem Biennale, has a Dresden relief showing the consequences of the destruction during Kristallnacht.

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem is another location for the Biennale.

Upstairs the Splinter from the Storm exhibition is still running.

Downstairs the Spring Biennale had its opening on Wednesday night.

Former head of the Israel Museum James S. Snyder arrived and was given a private tour.

Yes, I followed him until Jerusalem Biennale Founder and CEO Rami Ozeri escorted him out.

The theme of this 6th Biennale is a literal translation of the Hebrew phrase Tzon Barzel, Iron Flock, which gave voice to serious recognition of Jewish and Israeli women artists.

Curator Rachel Verliebter and artists, including performance artist Alana Ruben Free added an extra dimension to the opening night event.

Also at the opening of Ayelet Hashahar, or The Doe of Dawn, was former BLMJ director Amanda Weiss.

Friday in the Artist’s Colony, there was just enough time to catch a few minutes of the Biennale at Ha Ott.

Friday was the first of a month of special Ramadan prayers in Jerusalem, Israel.

Notice how thousands of Muslims were leaving the Old City by Jaffa Gate, and security was light.

After Shabbat a big basketball game was held at the Pais Arena Jerusalem.

Before it began fallen soldier Michael Gal was remembered by the Jerusalem fans.

My favorite action shot from the stands of Jerusalem players in red against Tel Aviv in white.

At half-time, the game was exciting with the teams almost tied.

Tel Aviv took the second half in a big way, but the projection overhead caught my attention.

Being a good sport, and a good person, is most important, as the coaches shook hands after the game.

Some construction has restarted after months of delay.

Flags are still flying and people are meeting at outside cafes.

Hamentashen are being served, as little princesses, brides, and multi-costumed young children walk the Jerusalem streets already, over a week before Purim.

Purim is coming. Jerusalem is planning to celebrate the holiday.

However, along with the signs of spring and the anticipation of Purim celebrations, the days of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are over 160 and counting and hard to ignore on the Jerusalem streets.