I have officially been living in Tel Aviv for a complete 365 days; my one year Aliyah anniversary coincided with ringing in the New Year 2013. And let me tell you, it’s been quite an interesting year. Being able to celebrate and all of the Holidays Israeli Style has been a wonderful eye opening and learning experience.
As I arrived one year ago, my friends and family welcomed me with a spectacular Sylvester bash. One year later, it’s business as usual. It very well might have been the first time I have ever worked on January 1st. In Israel there are many who celebrated Sylvester (or more familiarly known as New Year’s Eve to North Americans). I know because I could hear them making a ruckus outside till the wee hours of the morning. But for most if Sylvester lands on a weeknight, it’s just like any other work or school night. It’s a very different experience from all of the hype surrounding New Year celebrations in the USA. Due to the low key Sylvester festivities I had this year I feel a need to compensate by getting a head start on Purim preparations.
Purim, as I remember celebrating as a child, was a holiday just for kids. I hardly remember my parents or any other adults getting dressed up or participating much at all. In Israel, it’s very much the opposite. There is nothing that could have prepared me for Purim in Israel. I soon learned that Purim is usually celebrated on the 14th of Adar -unless you live in Jerusalem. Apparently, back in the day, not everyone was able to celebrate the defeat of Hayman on the 14th Adar. The last standoff took place in a walled city called Shushan whose inhabitants weren’t able to celebrate their triumph till the 15th –which has appropriately been named Shushan Purim. In Jerusalem, they parade around on the 15th! Depending how much you love Purim, you’re able to get in two days of celebration instead of one!
The celebrations were exciting and extravagant. We all took to the streets and celebrated with parades, parties, and carnivals. There was something for all ages. A parade through the streets of Tel Aviv displayed the wildness of the holiday. During the beautiful chanting of the megillah, hundreds sat at the edge of their seats and prepared for the next time the word ‘Haman’ was spoken. Of course, even the slightest utterance of the word ‘Haman’ was greeted with massive jeering and the unrestrained rattles of groggers.
Not knowing what to expect, I had hardly put much forethought into making a costume and felt very much out of place. Regardless of age, everyone was dressed in their favorite character. There were plenty of Queen Esthers and Mordechais to go around. And for weeks and weeks before all of the celebrations began, the sweet aroma of freshly baked Hamantaschen could be smelled a few blocks away, making sure no one forgot that Purim was coming. The fruit-filled Hamantaschen cookies as I had been taught are in the shape of Haman’s 3 cornered hat but ask any Israeli and he’ll argue that the shape reflects Haman’s clipped ears!
My first Purim experience in Israel is one that I will always cherish. It wasn’t the kids party that I was used to, but rather the community coming together to celebrate the victory of the Jews. For this year’s parade and carnival I’m going to start planning my costume now!
This author is a writer on World of Judaica
