A green Purim (not what you think)

March 10, 2009 - 9:27 AM by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Holidays 

Molly BloomsThe holiday of Purim for me was once synonymous with debauchery, chaos and wilding. Obviously as I matured in the thirtysomething adult that I am today getting rip roaring drunk until I was unable to distinguish between good and evil became a less of a priority. I was thinking last night about my previous Purim celebrations and experiences.

Back in the spring of 2005 (right on Purim) roughly 3000 thousand of Irish football fans (that’s soccer to you Americans) fell in one big swoop on Tel Aviv. The Israel-Ireland World Cup qualifying match was held in Tel Aviv. The Irish football fans are known for their undying dedication to their team and will follow them anywhere to support them. Tel Aviv, to their credit, welcomed the Irish with open arms. I recall the weather being beautiful and the beach and promenade was packed with Israelis and Irishmen alike (way too easy telling them apart). The cultural differences were apparent though. The Israelis were enjoying coffee in the cafes that line the beach while the pubs across the treat were filled to the brim with the Irish with glasses…well..for a lack of better expression…filled to the brim. But it wasn’t a completely segregated scene. I saw many Israelis reveling and shmoozing with the Irish folk in the bars and one too many pasty Irishman soaking in the sun’s rays on the beach. I also witnessed random Israelis approaching green-clad Irishmen and striking up conversations. The vibes and the atmosphere were terrific.

The Irish in Tel Aviv seemed to really be enjoying Purim. Purim celebrates the foiling of a plot against the Jews by the wicked Haman. Most Jewish holidays have the same theme. They tried to kill us all, let’s eat. The Irish are equally consistent. It’s a holiday, let’s drink.

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Drink Beer. And Dance.

August 26, 2008 - 1:32 PM by · 8 Comments
Filed under: Food 

BeerAugust is the perfect month for the Jerusalem Beer Festival. It’s absurdly hot (in the high nineties this week) and I cannot think of a better way to spend a hot sticky evening then drinking ice cold beer with thousands of Jerusalemite revelers. The Jerusalem Beer Festival will this year host premium producers, boutique producers and homemade beers in uncommon tastes of honey, coffee, herbs, and more. The festival caters to the beer connoisseur and the average Joe alike, as visitors will have the opportunity to taste the world’s traditional beers – though it seems like local American-style microbrew Dancing Camel – who make arguably the most interesting beer in Israel – is sadly not participating this year.

The festival is not exactly a fraternity romp but things can get a bit rowdy. Heat, alcohol and pulsating beats can be a scary combination. But the kids keep it in check and the beer festival is a wonderful way to spend a Jerusalem summer night. The festival starts tomorrow. I’m basically going to be jumping off the plane, unpacking a bit, help get the kid settled and off to Jerusalem for an evening of non-debauchery. I don’t really drink these days. I actually had a battle with a bottle of sake last week and lost.

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