Purim costumes

Attire to Inspire for Purim in Jerusalem

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As 3 potential US presidential candidates ended their visits in Jerusalem,

  the Conference of Presidents of  Major American Jewish Organizations 

arrived for their annual meeting, but with increased security precautions,

there are often no public displays announcing such visitors.

However, the president of East Timor has flags lining his route.

In a week with every kind of weather,

the flags add color on a drab, cold rainy day,

 President Ramos-Horta’s visits Beit Hanasi,

the official residence of President Shimon Peres.

Official visitors do not affect most people , they are much more concerned

about the price of gasoline,

and, of course, the situation in Egypt, Iran, and the rest of the  Middle East.

With all the political unrest, the IDF has a new leader, 

Lt-General Benny Gantz,

and his first stop as the 20th chief officer was at the Kotel, Western Wall.

Thousands of others visited the Kotel the same day,

and some of their outfits might help solve the dilemma…

what to wear on Purim?

Mordechai

and Shushan are names found all year around in Jerusalem.

This being a leap year,

there is an extra month of Adar, more time to prepare for the holiday.

From the amazingly diverse Jerusalem streets,

some ‘everyday’ attire to inspire.

  There are female visitors

and male visitors in colorful clothes.

There are those dressed in all white,

or of course, in basic black.

These men on their way to Beit Hanasi, walking near

the Jerusalem Theater, prefer black and white.

Colorful hats are now on display.

 

Wigs are always popular.

Can’t wait to see what people will look like

when they actually dress up in Purim costumes next month!

Shushan Purim Day in Jerusalem

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On Monday Shushan Purim schools were closed, 

 the Jerusalem Theater had a special musical program;

 the Purim songs were loud and lively, the entertainers tried their best,

but at times there were more tall people than short people in the lobby.

The busy streets of Jerusalem were quieter than usual, as many businesses were closed, and the rainy weather kept people indoors. It was hard to guess how many late night party-goers were off to a slow start on Shushan Purim.

A major afternoon celebration was organized at the new Mamilla Mall,

next to the Old City.

 Street entertainers were popular with the crowd.

If you look above the street,

you’ll see that Peter Pan traded in his regular hat for a warmer one.

 Photographers were trying to capture the moment. 

             It was a great day for hot chocolate or coffee.

Ben Yehudah Street had its share of people for celebrations

and a bit of smoke from firecrackers.

                                                                                             

 

 Machane Yehudah Market, the shuk,

as always, had its share of colorful customers.

  There were some scary looking

characters on the sreets,

but for the most part…

the day was about princesses and butterflies, color,

                                                                and of course, hats.

Rosh Chodesh Adar 5773, updated for Purim 2013

Shushan Purim-Night

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After many days of sunny, warm weather,  just in time for the Purim holiday celebrations, very heavy rains turned Jerusalem cold and grey.  At times the fog was so heavy the Knesset building was barely visible. The amount of rainfall over the Purim weekend totaled about 20 cm or nearly 8 inches.

Flooded streets made it hard to get around,

but the rain did not stop this bike rider Sunday evening.

All over Jerusalem, many people dressed in costumes and gathered to read Megilat Esther.

There were some good hats

and some great hair.

Inside  was bright and colorful,

but outside everyone hurried to  their cars, homes 

 the city of Jerusalem though was just beginning to party.

There were so many events it was impossible to cover them all;

however, there is another day…

Purim sign

Happy Purim!

Updated Rosh Chodesh Adar 5773, Purim 2013