Tel Aviv Does Purim

Now THIS is a Purim party!

If Tel Aviv were a country, Purim would be its national holiday. This exuberant fling with hedonism has been its defining holiday since the founding of the city, when Dizengoff used to lead the annual Purim parade on his horse. It is fitting in a way, since Tel Aviv is the most secular of Israeli cities, and Purim is the most secular of the Jewish festivals. (God does not even get a mention in the story of Esther.)

We had heard a lot about how enthusiastically Tel Aviv embraces Purim, and we were not disappointed.  But oddly, on the day of Purim itself, there was not much happening apart from the odd costumed person on the street, like two guys in full-on Louis the 14th garb , and a little party at our school… oh… and a lion, (or dog, if you want to get picky about it).

There are kids’ parties all week, but for adults things get going at night on Thursday and into Friday when the streets were hopping all day.  Although many of the really over the top parties happen at night,  there is a massive open air celebration at Kikar Medina on Friday which attracts something in the order of a hundred thousand people.   Kikar Medina is a giant circular park which is lined with designer stores that no-one ever seems to go to.  It is normally as dead as a doornail,  but on Purim it is jammed.  The party starts at noon and features performances from top musicians, lots of dancing and general frivolity!    We could hear it going strong from our apartment which is about a 15 minute walk from the festivities.

So of course, we went over to have a look, but before doing that we had to outfit ourselves appropriately, which we did, all things considered.

I also invested in a special Purim purse which I am quite fond of.

So what did we see.  Oh boy.  Lots of people in all kinds of fancy get-ups. Families, bands of friends, even some senior citizens getting into the act, lots of food stands, and a big stage for the musicians with giant speakers to match. There was a massive security presence as you might imagine.

Some of our individual picks: not an easy task in the throngs of people milling about.

 

 

Okay, no more politics. Just some folks having fun…lots of them.

 

 

Purim is like Hallowe’en, Carnival and a giant street party all rolled into one. Inhibitions are frowned upon; costumes  are required, (the more fanciful the better), and drinking is mandatory.

Did I mention that I really like this place?

On the way home we ran into this charming group of minions.

 

Chag Purim Sameach!