See Passover Matzah Baking in Jerusalem

Passover is a special time in Jerusalem.

Before Passover you can find almost anything discarded on the streets.

This week I saw an old bed, a new can of flavored bread crumbs,

electrical appliances, and a single, brand-new white shoe out by the trash.

In Kikar Safra, Municipal Square,

a Matzah b’Kikar Festival was held outside City Hall.

The weather was perfect last week for the event.

Among the attractions were

Washing clothes Jerusalem Matzah Festival

a woman washing clothes by hand,

Actors at Matzah Festival in Jerusalem Israel before Peasach

an old time junk dealer,

Actor dressed as tailor in Jerusalem Kikar Safra for festival

a spiffy tailor,

Old fashioned photographer in Jerusalem Israel before Passover

and a vintage photographer.

But the main attraction,

matzah baking Jerusalem Israel

was matzah baking.

matza baking before Pesach

It featured four ovens fueled by gas tanks.

Aprons, gloves and perfect timing were mandatory

Baking matza at Kikar Safra Matzah Festival

for those at the work tables in the preparation tent.

matzah baking

Staff in orange vests carried the

used stainless steel rolling pins

to be cleaned of every last drop of dough

between batches of baking matzah.

Matza baking

Dozens of wooden poles were lined up outside,

baking matzah

for the workers to rush the rolled dough to the ovens.

Hand made matza

Boxes of the hand-made baked matzahs

were ready for the participants to take home.

It is a shame more people did not take advantage of this

public, free event held over two afternoons.

I’m glad I saw a full page ad in a Hebrew paper,

but I know many heard about the matzah baking too late.

Matzah Festival in Kikar Safra Square sign

The festival signs were up along some roads,

but it was impossible to read the small print from moving cars.

Baking matzah in Jerusalem, Israel, before Passover,

just one step in preparation for the holiday.

9 thoughts on “See Passover Matzah Baking in Jerusalem

    • April 3, 2017 at 5:20 am
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      Thank you, chag sameach

      Reply
  • April 3, 2017 at 4:47 am
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    Wonderful, baruch HaShem!! Sorry I missed it, but am glad we have our own shmurah matza factory in the yeshuv.

    Reply
    • April 3, 2017 at 5:21 am
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      Many communities in Israel bake matzah, but the ovens in City Hall plaza… always seem special. Chag sameach.

      Reply
  • April 5, 2017 at 2:56 pm
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    Wonderful photos, Sharon. Hugs, Nancy

    Reply
    • April 5, 2017 at 5:37 pm
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      Thank you, chag sameach!

      Reply
  • February 28, 2019 at 8:57 am
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    What a lovely event!
    I am coming with my family to Jerusalem for Passover, and will be there for the week prior to the chag. Is this a yearly event? Are there dates set for 2019?

    Reply
    • February 28, 2019 at 10:23 am
      Permalink

      Hi. Not certain, but assume it could be held again this year. April 17-18 would be optimum time if they have open matzah baking again at Kikar Safra. You can check closer to Passover for details.

      Reply

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