Purim in Jerusalem, Israel, is so very strange every year.
Purim is celebrated the day after the rest of the world- on what is called Shushan Purim. The street sign for Queen Esther is not really upside down.
There is also a street called Shushan Street – it’s near Safra Square.
Things feel different as the rest of the world has moved on and in Jerusalem, we are just finally getting started with the upside down.
Clowning around and colorful clowns abound.
The demise of Haman was announced but not mourned on this sign posted on a message board at a local community center.
After weeks of preparation, Shushan Purim went by with too much happening to capture it all. Nachlaot and many Jerusalem streets were bursting with costumed crowds, but here are a few favorites…
Best little guy costume
and an even cuter littlest one!
Not only little dinos, but space men were popular this year.
NASA better watch out for these future astronauts.
Best big hair,
Best big blue mask,
the very best big ears,
and the best underwear for a hat.
Jerusalem synagogues were filled for the readings of Megilat Esther.
Beer, wine, and booze were found inside and outside on the streets.
Chabad again sponsored multiple Megillah readings at night and all day long on King George Street and around.
But also in Jerusalem community parks hundreds assembled to hear the story of Esther repeated at night.
And there were musical events before and after the Megillah was read. How nice to see that on the Jerusalem streets where protesters usually shout against the Prime Minister, people sat quietly together to celebrate Purim.
The Megillah is read by night and by day,
and more young women have undertaken the reading of the Megillah at special readings for women.
This year Jerusalem’s Shushan Purim day of celebration coincided with March 8 and International Women’s Day, so no new piece this time.
Therefore, I thought I’d share a women’s event held on March 9th at Shalva.
A Playback Theater experience with workshops especially for women.
Led by Toby Klein Greenwald and her expert drama and therapist cohosts, right after Purim, 100 women impressively participated in performance and movement and powerful improv workshops.
Plus, the Shalva building has many inspirational sayings lining its walls.
Where else on Purim would you enjoy such a lovely view while delivering a Mishloah Manot dinner to a friend, when stopped at a traffic light?
Purim is finally finished on Jerusalem streets.
Now the Jerusalem Marathon signs for Jerusalem street closings are up.
Tens of thousands of runners are registered to fill the Jerusalem streets on Friday, March 17, 2023. One of the finish lines is ready and the full marathon finish in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, is being built.
My Purim hair/costume is put away until next year.
Pesach prep has begun.
Always something positive happening on the Jerusalem streets, when are you coming to see it?