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Well, the beginning of March was Purim. Purim is a big party. It is similar to Halloween, in that everyone dresses up in crazy costumes, and there are parties, but that is where the similarities end. Purim is actually a religious holiday. Traditionally, you go to synagogue to hear the reading of the “Megillah”, the scroll telling the story of Purim, the defeat of our enemy Haman, and the victory of the Jews. Other than this, Purim is essentially a big party. You are supposed to celebrate life, and it is actually a “mitzvah” (good deed) to get drunk on Purim. I went to a party with some of my friends. Everyone was dressed up in outrageous costumes, and there was live music, and it was a lot of fun. Some of my other friends went into Tel Aviv for Purim, and I wish I had as well. They said that people were just partying in the streets, on the bus, everywhere you went. This didn’t surprise me, since Tel Aviv is a party city, but I am sorry I missed it. Next year!

MARCHing forward!

Leah Schneier
2007-04-21 21:48:43

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Israel/ England Soccer game was on, as a qualifier for the Euro 2008 games, so everybody was out watching this game, including us! We got very cool hats. The game ended is a 0-0 tie, so that was a bit anti-climatic, but very good for Israel's team. We spent the rest of the night, walking around the beach, and the city, and eating some very delicious ice cream, before heading back home for the night. Lisa coming to visit me in Israel, her first
time here, was the best birthday present ever! I had a great birthday, and thanks to all for the emails and phone calls, etc.

Sunday, we headed to Jerusalem for a couple days, where we went to all the popular tourist and religious sites. First and foremost, the Western/Wailing Wall in the old city. We also did a couple things that I had not done before, or had not done in a very long time. We went to the Church of the Holy Seplechure, which is on the spot where they say Jesus was resurrected. The church was gorgeous, and I had much more appreciation for it this time, than when I saw it 7 years ago. Also, there was some service going on, I think it was the Armenian Church. We weren't sure whether it was for upcoming easter, or just a normal sunday service, but it was very different then any church service I had ever seen, and very interesting. We also went to the 4 Sephardic synagogues. I don't know how I had missed this, as I had passed it many times before. Basically, it is 4 connected, but very different Sephardic/Mizrachi synagogues, that had been there for centuries. In 1948, during the War of Independence, Jordan captured the old city and destroyed these beautiful synagogues. In 1967, during the 6-Day War, Israel reclaimed the old city of Jerusalem, and found these synagogues. They restored them to their original beauty, and they truly are unique. We also took a trip down to the Dead Sea, which is about an hour outside Jerusalem, for a short dip in these extremely salty waters. Always fun ...