Purim Modi’in 2011

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This Purim was definitely the best I have experienced since making Aliya – it was also my 3rd Purim as an Oleh – I will assume that one of the main reasons that it was such a great experience is that the entire city of Modi’in celebrates Purim in my street, Emek Hachula, we moved into the area 8 months ago…

Purim morning, whilst taking ones children to school is an extra special treat, as all one can see wherever you look are brides, kings, clowns, miniature soldiers and some really weird and wonderful costumes – both parents and children dressing up and celebrating Purim. There were three teenage boys dressed as the Azreilli Towers in Tel-Aviv and a teenage girl dressed as a Barbi in the box…including the box!

In Emek Hachula and about 300m from my apartment is a beautiful park known as the Fish Park, apparently getting that name due to the fact that from the air (in a plane) , it looks like a fish. The whole Purim party centers around the Fish Park – jumping castles, food stalls, entertainment, wall climbing, bunjee jumping (for babies) and basically a massive party. (see picture). The Purim March ( The Adloyada ) with 1000s of marchers snaking past the Fish Park continues along Emek Hachula – the Adloyada reminds me of the WITS RAG, floats and colors, every school in Modi’in (about 30) is represented with a float and kids, dancing studios, martial arts schools, soccer teams etc…all taking part in the Adloyada – named an Adloyada from the Hebrew Ad Ata Lo Yada (until you do not know) the difference between good and evil – remember on Purim you are meant to get drunk enough to not know the difference between good and evil.
The source of this practice is a passage from the Talmudic tractate Megillah (7b):
 A person is obligated to drink on Purim until he does not know the difference between "cursed be Haman" and "blessed be Mordechai"
(Thank you chabad.org!)
That being said, I sat on my good friends Alan and Rene’s balcony, also living in Emek Hachula, Modi’in, overlooking the festivities of the Fish Park with our chicken schnitzel on the Weber Braai and a Beer in hand.

Erev Purim we had a great party at the municipal building of Modi’in organized and hosted by the Aliya and Immigration department. Lots of entertainment and prizes – it was amazing to see the effort that all the Olim made in dressing up… including Olim from South American countries.

I even got a prize for one of the best dressed!

Well, Purim is over…although Pesach is around the corner and Pesach in Modiin is an amazing experience – but that’s another article

Chag Samayach

Trevor Shaff
Telfed Modi’in Regional Chairman