Pesach 5770 Passover 2010
As Jerusalem residents waited by the bus load to get out of town,
flags lined the roads welcoming the visitors coming to Jerusalem.
After suffering in traffic jams and road closings while trying to get to the Old City,
visitors were greeted by sounds of music from a boys’ choir at the plaza outside of Jaffa Gate.
For the holidays, construction mess at Jaffa Gate was cleared to make room for the thousands of visitors.
Easter celebrations were held this week, adding thousands of Christian visitors to the Passover crowds.
The Kotel, the Western Wall, was crowded all week, and not just for the Priestly Blessing on Thursday morning.
The Old City’s Jewish Quarter was filled with people and activities.
Recently opened Hurva
Synagogue was standing room only
for the afternoon services.
However, there were a few quiet spots to be found,
and even an occasional quiet moment in a busy location.
But the Holiday Week was mostly about lots of people,
like those standing in lines at security to get to the toilets in the Mamilla Mall;
and more crowds.
A week of families and food; a picnic in the park,
a brunch on a roof top,
a meal in a restaurant served with rolls that look like bread,
and white cotton candy.
The boxes for burning Chametz were now cold and quiet on street corners;
but anywhere there was a patch of green grass,
grills full of roasting meat filled the air with thick smoke well into the night.
For most people,
the end of Passover means
no more matzah
until next year.
The Mimouna festival
begins soon after the sun sets
on the Passover holiday;
and it is perfect time
for those who want to party
a little longer and
grill even more meat.
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