Jerusalem Days of Topsy Turvy and Upside Down

I was stuck, trying hard to find new words for another roller-coaster, emotional week in Jerusalem, Israel.

How about upside down, or how topsy turvy?

The commotion was too much of a downer at the start of the week, so I went to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens for a bit of fresh air and sunshine.

Stopping to watch a white swan swim across the pond,

appreciating the small wonders in nature,

and seeing the brilliant colors makes it’s also hard to remember it’s winter.

But to be real, not all is so pretty and pleasant on the Jerusalem streets.

Barriers abound and block sidewalks.

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As the weeks go on, the barriers are getting bigger.

And they seem to be multiplying, and blocking the pathways.

Barriers are set early on Friday, ready for the after-Shabbat protesters at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

Barriers have been placed around the fountain at French/Paris Square.

Then Wednesday, the street where the Netanyahus live, was closed.

The barriers in front of their home remind me of those in the park.

However, there was much more happening in Jerusalem this week.

My friend from the US noted there was no armed guard at the entrance to our synagogue in Jerusalem on Shabbat.

IDF soldier on guard at Tzomet HaGush

But security is on higher alert, as seen here in Gush Etzion last week.

New tunnels to Gush

However, road works, such as the second tunnel from Jerusalem to Gush Etzion, are finally reaching the final stages, after years of construction.

For the first time, the Speaker of the Senate of Canada was visiting the Knesset and flags were flying for the official welcome.

Sunday, Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger was in Jerusalem.

Buildings are going up and up all over Jerusalem. These towers tower above and off King George Street.

The center of Jerusalem off of Jaffa Road along the light rail tracks has come back to life again after pandemic closures.

New stores are opening in anticipation of returning tourists.

Old streets are being regentrified with new boutique hotels and shops.

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HaBoydem has opened a new larger space to sell its recycled clothing.

Shaon Horef – שאון חורף or Winter Noise was back Monday nights in February.

Winter Noise was on the street near where we lived and also in the 2014 Winter Noise. I used to go to all four Monday nights, but not this year.

This time I only got to the last one on the last Monday of February.

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These guys were my favorite as they walked into Harvey’s and sat down.

Oh, Jerusalem streets, where much of the year, one can often ask whether it’s Purim or not Purim.

The Shaon Horef of 2023 was well done, check out a few video highlights.

And it was held on Shushan Street, a perfect location before Purim.

The Purim holiday signs are up along the Jerusalem streets.

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Mishloach Manot baking and preparations have begun.

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Signs of Purim in the neighborhoods were up last week.

The streets were filled with schoolchildren dressed in costumes, however, some of the cutest did not want to be photographed.

So you will have to come back next week for Purim favorites.

There are too many Jerusalem Purim events to list, at the Israel Museum, the Tower of David, the Train Theater, Safra Square, and more,

but you can find Purim events in English on the Jerusalem website.

Purim week is always a time of upside-down, topsy-turvy.

Hoping this Purim will be celebrated in a good way, so check back next week to see.

פורים שמח

Purim sameach!

Best of Purim in Jerusalem

This year, Jerusalem celebrated Purim officially Thursday night and Friday. While the rest of the world moved on, Jerusalem neighborhoods came alive on Thursday night with Shushan Purim celebrations.

In a new touch, birds flocked to Jaffa Road across from the Tzahal Square. The colorful avian visitors landed the week before Purim.

Remember what was there last year? No? Don’t feel bad, I had to check.

The Purim 2021 RJS post written during Covid lockdowns is linked at the end of this blog. Oh, those corona blur events.

Those birds reminded me of the expression ‘shouting from the rooftops’ which is apparently a very old one.

Corner stone from Beit Hamikdash in Israel Museum

I wonder if it came from the proclamation of the onset of Shabbat in Jerusalem from the Temple precincts. Remember the cornerstone found in the Israel Museum?

The monster was back over Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.

However, today Purim is over and it was taken down.

Kikar Safra, Safra Square, was lined with Purim posters early in the week.

Celebrations were held by the Municipality from 11-2:200 pm with planned entertainment. On Friday Purim celebrations are complicated because of Shabbat. When to read the megillah, when to eat the meal, and more?

I decided to make hamantashen this year, peanut butter and chocolate, blueberry jam, and homemade strawberry jam. They came out great and quickly disappeared.

I liked how the synagogue was decorated for Purim and the megillah reading when we entered at night.

And how the people came ready to celebrate in style.

Readings of Megillat Esther were too numerous to count, at night, and every hour during the day in multiple locations in many Jerusalem neighborhoods, both inside and outside.

The costumes that appeared on the Jerusalem streets were as varied as could be imagined.

At this popular Jerusalem spot, a large group crowded in for a megillah reading.

I wondered how many knew that women were reading the megillah before they came?

But the crowd stayed, and quietly paid attention, making noise only to blot out the name of evil Haman.

In the morning as I was watching for cute costumes, the first colorful couple I saw turned out to be people I know!

Our annual morning family reading has grown over the years.

In Jerusalem, I have a thing I call – Purim or not Purim? – all year long it is hard to tell what some folks are wearing. For example, one young woman had her long hair dark brunette on one side and blond on the other – and it wasn’t Purim, just a regular day on a regular street.

United Hatzalah has been working overtime with the war in Ukraine and refugees fleeing to the borders and needing assistance. This family has United Hatzalah vans parked outside regularly- not just Purim.

But their Purim mishloah manot wins my prize as most clever this year.

Pizza came in handy to serve for dinner on these Purim preparation upside-down days.

And one guy decided he was Pizza Man?

Across the street, this guy thought he could avoid getting captured?

Two couples I know in one day, double jackpot Purim fun.

Hansen House was supposed to be filled with costumed Purim celebrants, but on Friday the weather was too wet and dreary to be outside. But downtown people did come to see the colorful and varied entertainers.

As I was racing along to beat the rain and get to my Purim meal, this guy was impressive enough to get us to stop. Not only was he colorful enough for a second glance, so was his companion.

The Purim feast was a great one. The sushi was almost gone, but with enough cold cuts left over, we had some for Shabbat lunch. A good idea when there is not enough time on Friday for the usual Shabbat preparations.

Next week we have to change the clock on Friday and it’s time for the Jerusalem Marathon. Flags are up over the Jerusalem streets.

Are we really back to normal?

That’s it for now, and until next year – Happy Purim!

פורים שמח

So who remembers last year?

Here’s to hoping we really are post corona and we will see you all soon on the Jerusalem streets!