Pharaoh: The Story and Untold Story

On Passover, the story

of Pharaoh and the Children of Israel leaving Egypt

is told and retold,

year after year.

This year in time for the Passover holiday

the Israel Museum opened a new exhibit called

Pharaoh in Canaan: the Untold Story.

sign for Pharaoh Untold Story at Israel Museum

Big posters announcing this momentous exhibit,

which consists of hundreds of pieces in multiple rooms,

are displayed on the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

video screen from exhibit at Israel Museum Pharaoh

There is even a colorful video which is used to illustrate

the Egyptian Empire of the 4th millennium BCE.

facade of ancient fortress in Jaffa in Israel Museum exhibit Pharaoh

This was an entrance to a fortress in Jaffa:

the highlighted pieces have Ramses’ name inscribed.

Loans from international galleries are included.

Israel Museum exhibit on Pharaoh and Canaan

Ancient artifacts are on display,

Israel Museum exhibit Pharaoh and Canaan

 in room after room,

Israel Museum Pharaoh and Canaan exhibit Untold Story

with some unique and special pieces.

Israel Museum Pharaoh untold story exhibit potter display

There are displays of pottery,

Israel Museum pottery Pharaoh exhibit

urns, and jewelry,

Israel Museum Pharaoh exhibit

and much more lining the walls.

gift shop Israel museum

The gift shop is stocked with items for sale

map Egypt in ancient times Pharaoh and Canaan story

for this impressive exhibit, perfectly timed.

The story of leaving Egypt is retold in the Hagaddah

in Jewish homes on Passover at the seder,

which takes place this year on Friday night in Israel,

and on Friday and Saturday nights around the world.

Israel Museum video passover story

This year thousands in Jerusalem will enjoy

the new exhibit of Egyptian rule in Caanan,

until now the untold story.

As in dozens of Israeli museums during Passover holiday,

children are invited free of charge.

Schools are out. Government offices are on holiday.

Temperature is rising.

Passover is vacation time in Israel.

Passover in and out of Jerusalem

  Passover time in Jerusalem, Israel,

sees a population exchange.

Many locals rent (or try to rent) their homes

to holiday visitors for large sums,

and go away for the week.

Even more take day or overnight trips

view from park in Zichron

to one of Israel’s amazing nature spots

like this one near Zichron Yaakov in Ramat Hanadiv park.

Estimates were as high as 75,000 people

for Monday morning’s holiday annual

Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

But huge crowds were at

Kotel on Pesach

the Kotel, the Western Wall all day the next day as well.

 Not only were prayer services held at the Kotel and at regular synagogues,

but impromptu minyanim for the afternoon prayers

mincha minyin

sprung up just about everywhere.

people at Tachna

It was good to see First Station busy again,

Luna Park to be built in First Station

but this was the only sign of the new Luna Park.

parking lot Tachanah

The free shuttle bus service was finally being used,

with a full size buse to accommodate the crowds,

in addition to the special vans.

The route was different and it went to a different Old City Gate.

While walking to Kotel, you could see

Silwan

people on top of the Walls looking down at Silwan below.

Street blocked in Old City

Streets were closed and blocked to cars,

 while some places were even blocked to pedestrians.

police block way in Old City

I was not allowed to walk up this alley,

but the guy in white shirt was allowed to smoke.

The closings caused a lot of extra walking for people.

Pesach 5775

This little girl is watching a man from an Arabic tour,

who is taking a video of the hasid, religious Jewish man,

while I was taking photos of the Arabic writing on the back of his vest.

Warm, clear weather was perfect for

crowd Passover Jerusalem

 the large and diverse crowds,

Jaffa Gate plaza view of Tower of DAvid

and for photos in Jerusalem on Passover.

Maimilla Mall on Passover

Mamilla Mall had extra balloon people

and we hear they did a great business.

And of course, there was food.

Parks were filled with picnics and BBQ grills,

and the sky filled with smoke.

Many food places were closed for the holiday.

The ones that were open did just about anything with potatoes.

Peasch Potato Pizza

 However,

this pizza did not seem to be too popular

with one young family.

But, always popular

is the holiday greeting on Jerusalem buses,

Happy and Kosher passover

Happy and Kosher Passover.