Machane Yehuda market

Tu B’Shevat in Jerusalem

rjstreets

School children all over Israel learn by song that

on the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the new year of trees, 

almond tree in bloom image ,

“Shkadea Porachat,”  the almond trees are blooming.

In Jerusalem,

 it is much easier to find roses blooming than almond trees.

The fifteen day of the Hebrew month of Shevat is also

dried fruit image, mall image

the holiday when dried fruit displays fill the shopping malls.

Machane Yehuda market, the shuk, always a source of dried fruit and nuts, 

machane yehuda market image, image of the shuk in Jerusalem

has even more piles and varieties on sale this time of year.

dried chilli image

The dried chillies in the shuk yesterday

regulach image, rows of little cakes image

and these little rogalach seemed really special too.

Generations of American Jews 

associate Tu B’Shevat with “bokser” or dried carob pods.

lemons on tree image

However, I prefer our lemon tree full of fruit as a symbol

of the start of the growing season.

Many people will attend a special Tu B’Shevat seder at night at a

table set with red and white wine and dried fruit and special prayers. 

But some stores have been ready for a while with costumes and props,

and for some… it is never too soon to get ready for Purim.

Happy Tu B’Shevat where ever you are!

See Tu B’Shvat from  last year for a rainbow of beauty in Jerusalem:

http://rjstreets.com/2011/01/19/tu-bshvat/

Summer in the Shuk

rjstreets

In the Machane Yehudah Market, The Shuk,

the piles of fresh garlic of spring,

have been replaced by the piles of summer fruit.

The old and narrow Jerusalem streets in the area are often crowded,

but on Monday nights in July, the crowds

have come for the Balabasta Cultural Festival.

As the sun sets the celebration begins.

Numerous musical performances,

live bands,

soloists

and groups,

 all performed in the alleyways and corners of The Shuk.

Games were available

and many performers entertained the crowds for free,

but this mime had a sign requesting a coin to start his dance moves.

Artists painted in many locations,

adding more color,

to the market event.

Well known for its fresh food,

there were actually some people who were in The Shuk to do their shopping.

If you could get close to the displays,

there were bargains.

The Balabasta Festival has grown from last year.

Five years ago The Shuk was empty, a scary and dark place at night,

now it is filled with people and roses.