Beautiful day, sunny and warm, and oh the flowers!
שבת שלום
Jerusalem Photography
Purim, Shushan Purim, Crazy Time in Jerusalem
There’s Purim as we know it in most of the rest of world.
Then there’s Shushan Purim that is celebrated on the following day in Jerusalem, Israel.
Purim goes on and on and on, and this year it went right into Shabbat on Friday evening.
This Purim Sameach sign was hanging on the wall at an army base, above the tables set for their celebration.
Thousands of Israel security personnel received mishloah manot, gift bags with treats, and letters written by children from around the world expressing appreciation for their service in defense of Israel. This has become an annual project for multiple organizations.
Hamantashen galore are an annual sign of Purim.
A reading of Megilat Esther in First Station has become an annual event.
Children dress in costumes for the night time reading all over the world.
Purim masks vary from year to year.
Sometimes it is hard to decide who is in a Purim costume and who is not?
And some costumes are inside jokes, too long to explain.
For some hats make their Purim costume.
This year the beret of new Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch became a popular costume in Beit Shemesh, and in Jerusalem as well.
The Scroll of Esther was read from a real scroll in hundreds of Jerusalem locations.
Also, collecting money for the poor and remembering the half shekel of old are annual important customs around the world.
But on the Jerusalem streets there were all sorts of characters running around.
Sadly, some of the best were moving too fast to photograph.
One family was dressed to go out of this world. But they were left holding their children’s space helmets, which were not allowed to be worn on this moon bounce.
The Purim Carnival celebration burgers looked good, but what a shame! I heard that the power went out soon after I left.
Unicorns were popular this year, for all ages.
Smiles at Purim parties were easy to find.
However, deciding which doctor to consult could have posed a problem.
One royally dressed friend wanted to show off her glam outfit under her coat.
Purim in Jerusalem means wings and ears,
and lots of colors,
tall hats,
and even sushi ones.
Little Purple Riding Hood going to Gramma’s house?
Festive meals went all day on Friday, some going straight into Shabbat.
Purim on Friday is not my favorite, it feels so strange.
All week costumes have been spotted on Jerusalem streets, as these young women pose for a photo at a Jerusalem bus stop.
But not to worry, there will be no boring days now that the Marathon and Purim are finally over.
Signs are up for the Jerusalem Arts Festival.
The Art and Brain Festival at Cinematheque is back again this week.
I do not need the Fly Over Birds Festival to be aware of bird migration, as they are outside my window chirping away loudly before dawn.
Clocks are changing on March 29, so being tired is a certainty.
And the annual Sounds of Night Festival is next week.
However, one last time until next year…
Purim sameach! Happy Purim!
Jerusalem Marathon Highlights
Early Friday morning on March 15, 2019, 40,000 runners filled the Jerusalem, Israel, streets for the 9th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon.
Thousands from around the world came to run in the full marathon and other races.
Streets were closed for these athletes with blue tags for full marathon.
The full Jerusalem marathon runners seemed to keep coming.
Emergency teams were in place, but I did not hear any reports of serious injury.
Some of the runners dressed up as superheroes.
Oops, this motorcycle lead for the half marathon first place went by so quickly.
I missed him coming, and only got a shot after he whizzed past.
But second place was not far behind and here he is coming into the home stretch.
This year I decided to take fewer photos, so I missed the rest of the half marathon runners.
International media covered the event, here is one doing an interview in Arabic.
The flags of the eighty participating countries are flying along the route to starting line. This year for the first time there was a Syrian flag.
Heavy rains the day before of the marathon blocked view of Jaffa Gate.
Mayor Moshe Lion and dignitaries had to pose inside with elite runners.
Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, was one big mud patch, but the sun was shining and temperature cool and pleasant for the races.
Key areas were covered, like this area near the stage where the first place medals were awarded.
The Jerusalem Marathon is always more than a competition for the fastest running.
Team Shalva had teen participants from US schools, among its hundreds of supporters. Shalva raises large sums each year from this event.
Other nonprofits and charities had teams and booths in the park.
Teams from Camp HASC and AMIT, and over 100 good causes, come year after year.
One new team this year was Lion of Tzion. These young people organized to run to raise money to buy a food truck in memory of Ari Fuld z”l to take food and treats to IDF soldiers.
Trampolines were set up in the park as one of the activities for families, and at an early hour it was not crowded.
But in spite of weather the day before, and in spite of the mud in the park, runners and their supporters came.
For the new ninja, there was a long line waiting for a turn.
Media was waiting for the full marathon winner to arrive and cross the finish line.
There were two main finish lines, the one in the park was only for the full marathon,
while the long list of other races end at the other locations outside of the park.
This was the crowd waiting to greet the marathon winner.
New Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was ready at the finish line for a photo op.
Mayor Lion stood waiting for the winner, front and center.
So center, with the medal in his hand, the mayor blocked my view of both the first and second place finishers.
All the first place runners were from Kenya this year.
But there was more action at the starting lines and the other finish lines.
The starting line was out of the park and up the hill toward the Israel Museum and Knesset.
At the various starts there was a burst of energy and excitement.
For years I tried to get a photo of former Mayor Nir Barkat.
This year I did not try and there he was with the green tag to the right.
So many smiles and such excitement, this woman was with a group from Hong Kong.
Thousands waited for their starts, over and over, every 15 minutes for the 10K races.
There was also a special 5K track for a family friendly, slower paced walk.
The finish line for the 10K runners was impressive.
People were pushing baby strollers.
Also there were runners pushing wheelchairs in various races.
Seems each year, one person I find at start and finish. I was not looking for him this year, but there was Nir Barkat.
Runners were still arriving as people were slowly walking home.
Full marathon runners were arriving to Gan Sacher on this newly finished path.
Hundreds of volunteers were cleaning up thousands of water bottles along the route.
The Jerusalem Winner Marathon has become more than an annual sports competition.
Each year I go back, and say I will take fewer photos, but do not succeed.
Here are two examples of why I spend hours walking and sharing this event.
One their way to the midday family run, I met up with one family.
Big brother gave his medal for finishing the 5K run to his little brother.
And with all the tens of thousands of runners at the finish line, some seem more special.
Team spirit. Family spirit. A day of unity. Am Yisrael Chai.
Some smiles were more special than others, races were not about who came in first.
Finally – with posting this, my Jerusalem Marathon is over for this year.
Now time to get ready for next marathon!
Crazy Purim in Jerusalem, check out official events HERE
Are you up to more Jerusalem Marathon, check out photos HERE and HERE