Purim

Snow, Ice and Ethnic Profiling

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With the massive disaster in Japan, the brutal murder in Itamar,

and the Israeli navy seizing a ship full of weapons on the way to Gaza,

it is possible you did not see anything about the snow and ice in Jerusalem.

It seemed totally absurd,

the trees are blooming and the weather is warm,

but the skies and weather often change in a day or a minute.

Even though the aloe plants are in bloom

and there was a rose in the Old City,

and lemons

and oranges look ready to pick…snow was predicted for Jerusalem.

A major storm did not happen…too bad,

snow pictures of Jerusalem are really popular, but

in Kikar Safra , Safra Square, there was enough snow to shovel,

enough ice to skate

and get the skates out of storage.

The city’s new ice skating rink was quickly gaining in popularity,

attracting

many visitors

 to check it out

and to take pictures.

It has also become the scene of an unusually high level of ethnic profiling.

Observers are picking out the Canadians in the center of the rink,

who look comfortable on the ice,

as opposed to the beginners holding on to the sides.

The days leading up to Purim holiday are meant to be festive,

children can be seen in the street wearing crowns, costumes and face paint.

Mourning for the murdered Fogel family goes on,

as does the holiday preparations,

and five minutes of silence for five years of captivity of Gilad Shalit.

Quite a week in Jerusalem.

Updated Rosh Chodesh Adar 5773, 2013

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