Tens of thousands of people came from around the world to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem
and to pray at the Kotel, the Western Wall.
It was hard to find a bagel as many eateries were closed tight for the holiday,
however, the fresh bread in the Christian Quarter of the Old City smelled especially good.
Easter week coincided with Passover this year,
and thousands of Christian pilgrims came to the Old City by way of the Jaffa Gate
and the New Gate,
all heading towards
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Built in the fifth century by Queen St. Helena,
the Monastery of the Holy Cross
was also a popular Christian tourist spot.
It is located in the Valley of the Cross below the Israel Museum.
Passover with its potato rolls ended on Monday night… and Mimouna celebrations began.
This celebration by North African Jews the day after Passover is now an official holiday.
It begins at night with the baking of fresh mufletas and continues into the next day.
Large crowds kept coming all day to Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.
There were plenty of mangals with grilled meat and many serious photographers.
The afternoon scene included a group of Arab women and children
and Mahmoud and his friends playing soccer.
Arab families enjoying Jerusalem parks as usual, even though,
BenYosef Livnat was shot and killed at Joseph’s Tomb by Palestinian police just hours before.
Holiday celebrations in Jerusalem were large and festive this year, but since there was no violence,
it is not news for the mainstream media…
Now it’s back to school and back to washing and cleaning up from the holiday celebrations.
