The weeks feel as if they are whizzing by, and standing still at the same time.
How can that be?
Live goes on while too many lives are stuck on October 7.
Downtown Jerusalem streets looked “normal” today with the sun shining and people shopping.
On Shushan Purim, Monday last week, the light rail was not running, there was a special Purim parade.
Call it an ‘Ad lo ya do‘ or Purim United – tens of thousands of people came out for the holiday celebration.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and his wife with hostage family members were first carrying a banner stating ‘redemption of captives is a great mitzvah’ in a giant balloon yellow ribbon.
The weather was threatening some of the time and the pace moved slower than a turtle,
But there were large puppets and people lining the Jerusalem streets to watch.
Interesting displays held by numerous people
and some spectators dressed more colorfully than the parade items.
Families in coordinated costumes waited for the parade to move along.
But street actors were on the sidelines as well to entertain.
In the media we read complaints, but the people I saw were happy to smile for the camera.
Some had their cameras ready to capture the moment.
All of Jaffa Street was crowded and waiting for what was coming next.
Not everyone walked the route, these two women had a special place to sit and ride.
This lion got a lot of pre-Purim publicity, but I had trouble getting a good photo as it moved along.
In this upside-down world, this clown was appreciated.
But I got distracted by a family, in the Purim spirit dressed in coordinated leopard spots.
At the beginning of the Purim Unity parade was a clock with the time of hostages captive in Gaza.
The donkey float, on which the Moshiach is to arrive, was surrounded by Chabad flags.
More photos of the Purim Unity parade on Facebook HERE.
This was seen in traffic on a Jerusalem street on the way home, Purim was celebrated this year, even though a somewhat subdued Purim.
Ramadan and Muslim prayers midday have attracted large crowds for the third Friday in a row. Tales of restrictions were not evident at Jaffa Gate. It was also Good Friday, and Sunday Easter was celebrated.
New art is on display at Mamilla Mall, the Beatles on a Yellow Submarine caught my attention- All you need is love. Ah if it was only so simple.
OPEN HOUSE JERUSALEM 2024 This year’s festival includes hundreds of tours and houses connecting the past, present, and future on consecutive weekends, April 4-6 and April 11-13, 2024. Fascinating tours and activities throughout the capital are free, but some need prior registration.
I was in Tel Aviv this past week for a Jerusalem Post – Women Leaders Summit.
As the sun was setting, this caught my attention – Together we will succeed!
Time marches on.
In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,
Purim is over, Passover is a month away.
Wonder what will be happening next on the Jerusalem streets, check back next week to see.
