Jerusalem Purim Highlights

Purim.

Purim in Jerusalem is special.

Where else is Purim a three day holiday, that is celebrated for a week?

This year with corona restrictions and lockdowns, it was really different.

In years past, the Jerusalem streets were filled with happy people.

Scroll of Esther in Israel Museum illustrated and small on regular Purim exhibit

Reading Megilat Esther was a huge community event.

Synagogues were overflowing with people of all ages.

children dressed in costumes for Purim

Excited children came dressed in costumes, waiting for sweet treats.

This year, daytime readings were held in multiple locations on the hour.

Many readings took place outside with social distancing, like this one on Friday morning organized by Chabad of Rechavia.

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Following the Megillah on a cell phone has become common sight.

Readings were held at Thursday night outside. Jerusalem celebrated with the reading at the same time as the rest of Israel, on this Triple Purim year.

No costumed families in crowded malls as in past years.

But, Mamilla Mall was finally reopened and people came back to shop.

Holiday signs were placed in Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem Municipal Building.

Online programs from the Tower of David and Jerusalem Symphony special for Purim were available. But museums and some theaters are reopening for live audiences, however, with limited performances.

Jaffa Road was busy as the city is coming back to life again after the numerous business lockdowns.

People were on Jaffa Road shopping for holiday costumes before Purim.

There were a few costumes on the Jerusalem streets early in week.

New colorful plastic chairs are seen on many streets. With no inside dining allowed, the Jerusalem municipality has provided these chairs for outside.

Imagine stopping strangers on the street to take their photos? Then to find a family member who knows them – that is always a Purim favorite.

Ah, but on the Jerusalem streets, it is often hard to tell who is in costume.

On Purim day it is easier when someone waves and smiles across the road.

Live music played on this corner on Friday, providing a holiday mood.

Purim is always a good time to head to Shushan Street, near Jaffa Road.

On Sunday, the day after Shushan Purim, the Jerusalem streets really came alive with sounds of music.

Dozens of street performers in colorful costumes entertained.

One dance group was perfectly choreographed and drew admiring crowd.

Costumes were varied, colorful and plentiful, especially on Sunday.

Monsters were popular this year, like these on the Montefiore Windmill,

at the beginning of Jaffa Road overlooking Kikar Tzahal,

and at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

I hope someone explained Purim to the six new ambassadors to Israel who presented their credentials on Wednesday, entering through the main gate under the orange inflated monster.

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The ‘Follow the Lights’ event with 22 Jerusalem sites lit up at night is to run through this week.

On Purim night with the 8:30 pm curfew, these wheels were spinning.

The Knesset was lit for the ‘Follow the Lights’ but no beams on top for the three nights when coronavirus restrictions limited movement on streets.

I was glad I took this video on Monday before the the curfews began.

The Montefiore Windmill was lit up on Purim night and needed a video.

On Purim in Jerusalem, you never know what or who you will find.

When posting some Purim costume street photographs on Facebook, a person commented that it was good to see “normality” again.

Like the two giant leprechauns out for a stroll on Ben Yehudah Street?

Yoda reminds us, “The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the light, the future is.”

The Purim holiday reminds us to look to the bright side and light in the future from behind our masks.

The fourth monster in the Purim fancy dress series was the Jerusalem icon Mifletzet. The Monster in the Kiryat Yovel Rabinowitz Park wore a gold crown -corona is Spanish for a crown – this Purim holiday.

As we end this most unusual Purim, hoping next year in Jerusalem for all!

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Happy Purim!

Three days of Purim not enough? There are more photos HERE

18 New Signs of Spring in Jerusalem

18 New Signs of Spring in Jerusalem

Spring in Jerusalem, Israel.

One day it feels like winter and then the next day feels like summer.

These are signs of spring, besides the birds chirping before dawn.

Jerusalem rainy weather resulted in bigger and better weeds in spring

After unusually heavy rains, the spring weeds have reached new heights.

Spring in Jerusalem with children playing in park

A favorite sign of spring was in a Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park, of a group of young children playing and the sounds of their laughter.

Sign in Jerusalem for tourists on Moshe Salomon Street

New signs have been posted for tourists, as this one near Yoel Salomon Street.

Jerusalem Hansen House for spring

Another new festival for spring at the old Hansen House.

Spring day in Jerusalem Israel on Jaffa Road

On Jaffa Road, the sun came out. Temperatures warmed. People left their jackets and sweaters at home and were wearing short sleeves.

Photography display in jerusalem for Good Deeds Day

Good Deeds Day programs were held in several locations. Hundreds of volunteers and organizations were honored at Heichel Shlomo.

First sTation for Good Deeds Day in Jerusalem

While thousands more volunteers participated in a program at First Station.

Tower of David spring exhibit on Temple Mount

The Tower of David new exhibit for spring,”The Mount” has new street posters.

Tower of David at night for Forbes under 30 event music and fashion show

A favorite any time, but especially at night, the Tower of David was venue for the Forbes Women Under 30 Summit gala opening event in Jerusalem.

Event for Forbes Under 30 at Jerusalem JVP

The following day felt like spring in JVP Media Center for the Forbes Under 30 participants. Entrepreneurs, mostly women, from around the world gathered in Jerusalem to learn, network, and initiate innovative ideas. Photos HERE

Exhibit at Bible Lands Museum on discoveries found preparing for new Beit Shemesh road

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem BLMJ has new signs for new exhibit. New ancient sites are constantly being discovered.

There are new story hours for free in municipal libraries.  Special art tours and tours of Kikar Safra are being offered, some at noon in English.

A list of 40 communities hosting communal seder meals has been published.

Shop kosher for Passover meat sign on door

New signs for Kosher for Passover food popped up all over Jerusalem this week. This butcher shop had new sign for its new location.

Sign for annual Matzah Baking in Kikar Safra Jerusalem Israel

Kikar Safra, Jerusalem Municipal Square, had large signs for its holiday matzah baking.

Matzah baking in Safra Square jerusalem Israel

In a large tent, tables were set up for public to make their own matzah.

Baking matza in Jerusalem municipal plaza

Dozens of poles were ready to move the dough to be baked.

Baking matzah in Jerusalem Safra Square

Four ovens were set up to bake the matzah quickly.

Matza baking in Jerusalem woman receives a hand matza to take home

A woman asked for one, and received a matzah to take home.

Spring in Jerusalem matza baking man with large bag shakes hand of man working in Safra Square

A group of young boys prepared enough matzah to fill a large bag.

Examine each matza for Pesach in Jerusalem

Each piece was inspected carefully to make sure it was good for Passover use.

Oops, this one did not make it.

Sign of spring rental cars in Jerusalem

Another sign of spring in Jerusalem, the rental cars arriving.

Butterfly sign in jerusalem Israel

Signs are up over Jerusalem streets for spring celebrations.

Passover, Easter, Orthodox Easter, Good Friday, Maundy, Ridvan Festival, Lailat al Bara’ah, Nabi Shu’eib, all these spring holiday fall in the same week this year.

Chag aviv sameach for Happy Spring holiday in Jerusalem street signs

 

 

Happy Spring Holiday in Jerusalem.

Looking forward to seeing thousands of spring holiday visitors on the Jerusalem streets.

For more, check out Fun in Jerusalem Passover Guide HERE

Purim, Shushan Purim, Crazy Time in Jerusalem

Purim, Shushan Purim, Crazy Time in Jerusalem

There’s Purim as we know it in most of the rest of world.

Then there’s Shushan Purim that is celebrated on the following day in Jerusalem, Israel.

Purim goes on and on and on, and this year it went right into Shabbat on Friday evening.

Purim sameach sign for carnival at army base

This Purim Sameach sign was hanging on the wall at an army base, above the tables set for their celebration.

Female soldier reading letter from children and receiving Mishloah manot.

Thousands of Israel security personnel received mishloah manot, gift bags with treats, and letters written by children from around the world expressing appreciation for their service in defense of Israel. This has become an annual project for multiple organizations.

Hamentaschen piled up in Machane Yehuda Market for Purim

Hamantashen galore are an annual sign of Purim.

Sign for reading of Megilat Esther at First Station

A reading of Megilat Esther in First Station has become an annual event.

Children in costume for Purim Jerusalem Israel

Children dress in costumes for the night time reading all over the world.

Man wearing mask for Purim at synagogue reading of Megilat Esther

Purim masks vary from year to year.

Jerusalem men in costume for Purim meglla reading

Sometimes it is hard to decide who is in a Purim costume and who is not?

Man dressed for Purim

And some costumes are inside jokes, too long to explain.

Hats on Purim in Jerusalem Israel

For some hats make their Purim costume.

Aliza Bloch costume for Purim

This year the beret of new Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch became a popular costume in Beit Shemesh, and in Jerusalem as well.

Jerusalem man reading megilla in costume

The Scroll of Esther was read from a real scroll in hundreds of Jerusalem locations.

half shekel coins in Jerusalem synagogue for PUrim holiday

Also, collecting money for the poor and remembering the half shekel of old are annual important customs around the world.

Costume on Jerusalem Israel street at night of Purim

But on the Jerusalem streets there were all sorts of characters running around.

Sadly, some of the best were moving too fast to photograph.

Jerusalem couple dressed in space suits for Purim

One family was dressed to go out of this world. But they were left holding their children’s space helmets, which were not allowed to be worn on this moon bounce.

Purim carnival at night in Jerusalem

The Purim Carnival celebration burgers looked good, but what a shame! I heard that the power went out soon after I left.

Unicorn costumes popular in Jerusalem for Purim

Unicorns were popular this year, for all ages.

Jerusalem Israel on Purim night

Smiles at Purim parties were easy to find.

Doctors for Purim costumes in Jerusalem

However, deciding which doctor to consult could have posed a problem.

Purim costume in Jerusalem at night at carnival party.

One royally dressed friend wanted to show off her glam outfit under her coat.

Costumes in restaurant on Purim night wings and ears

Purim in Jerusalem means wings and ears,

Purim colors in Jerusalem Israel

and lots of colors,

Woman in hat for Purim in Jerusalem

tall hats,

Sushi hats for Purim in Jerusalem

and even sushi ones.

Purim costume in Jerusalem Israel

Little Purple Riding Hood going to Gramma’s house?

Festive meals went all day on Friday, some going straight into Shabbat.

Purim on Friday is not my favorite, it feels so strange.

Jerusalem Israel Women posing for photo at bus stop on Puirm

All week costumes have been spotted on Jerusalem streets, as these young women pose for a photo at a Jerusalem bus stop.

But not to worry, there will be no boring days now that the Marathon and Purim are finally over.

Signs for Jerusalem arts festival

Signs are up for the Jerusalem Arts Festival.

The Art and Brain Festival at Cinematheque is back again this week.

I do not need the Fly Over Birds Festival to be aware of bird migration, as they are outside my window chirping away loudly before dawn.

Clocks are changing on March 29, so being tired is a certainty.

And the annual Sounds of Night Festival is next week.

However, one last time until next year…

Purim sameach on bus, Happy Purim sign on bus, Jerusalem photo purim

Purim sameach! Happy Purim!