Party!

Halloween on steroids.

This is the only way we can best describe Purim in Israel. 

Festivities are loud. Firecrackers heard in the sky. Mangals (any excuse for Israelis to barbecue). 

What was fascinating was how the whole country is on the same page. That said, it does not make sense that schools outside of walled cities still have off on Shushan Purim. Unclear if parents need to take forced vacation. 

Purim also was the first that we had so many ultra religious beggers approach us after services, at our front door and into our garage. We did not know this was so customary and did not have change on us. Offering food was not the same. 

The local store called Max had a whole section of Purim costumes and the day right before the holiday started to unpackage Passover supplies. 

It will be interesting to see if the kids learn anything in school. 

We had fun continuing yearly Purim costume themes. With new food in Israel, it took some time to find matching items to the poem. We prepared 47 bags and thanked many who helped welcome us to Israel. 

As we distributed the bags in different areas of town, every street had its own flavor. If you ever wonder about community and where to rent or by, Purim exposes the ruach, and hence religious demographics. 

On a personal note, we are learning more and more how kids here have so much freedom compared to the United States. We continue needing to set ground rules to keep track of whereabouts and look for their sneakers to determine now that they are hiding somewhere in the home.

Wishing everyone great strength from our differences and to unleash what masks us from one another. May we all return to the glory of days and share more love than hate. 

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