Purim in the Shuk
It’s a vibrant chaos; a labyrinth of colourful stalls, each one a treasure trove of local and exotic goods.The air is filled with the aroma of spices , freshly baked goods and fresh produce, mingling with the tantalising scent of Israeli street food . Sounds of laughter fill the air, a melodic blend of languages , as old friends reconnect and new friendships bond. Children dart between the stalls, their laughter adding to the market's joyful din and lively music pulsates through the hubbub of conversation.
It could be an apt description of the numerous Israeli Shuks (markets) dotted around the country.. or the joyous recreation of the traditional Shuk here in Newcastle in celebration of Purim!
With all the authentic-ness of Shuk Machane Yehuda, the kids filled goody bags full of fresh candies, adults perused the sweet smelling pastries , the only question which type to try first. Crumbling authentic halva is a taste that throws you back in time. The overflowing street food stall full of shawarma, felafel, sabich and a colourful array of middle eastern dips and toppings was deemed truly a ‘taste of home’ by many who joined in the celebrations.
The reading of the Megilla was a poignant reminder for us of the longevity of our people- an age old story of those who tried to destroy us, and our miraculous salvation through the channels of nature and a brave and righteous Queen Esther. Nations may continue to rise up against us, yet we remain firm in our faith - drawing strength from our past and living proudly in our present. What a show of solidarity and community to have a synagogue packed with families to celebrate this wonderful Purim!
Venohafochu! (all was turned upside down) is a core theme of the purim story - those in positions of power came tumbling down, and those slated for destruction emerged stronger than ever. We commemorate this on Purim by dressing up in disguise.
Unlike the flashy miracles of the splitting of the sea, the ten Plagues or the burning bush, this miracle was cloaked in nature. Interestingly, God's name is not mentioned outright in the Purim story, but only alluded to. We remember this by cloaking our own selves in costumes and hiding what we know to be our authentic self behind a mask.
The wonderful ____ and ____ from ____ did a magnificent job assisting in the disguises with face paints and balloon props. We had tigers, pirates, dairies and more roaming around our market! i think i even saw a life sized Lego man minifigure walking around with a Mr Tickle! blink blink. Could it be??
The Western wall is the only surviving wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and remains as a beacon of hope, signifying G‑d’s eternal promise that His children will ultimately return to the land and that the Temple will be rebuilt. It’s a must-see on any Israeli trip intinerary and is an iconic snapshot of a trip to the Holy Land. With our very own photo wall, market goers could snap a picture right by the Western Wall - and boy do the pics look authentic!
Here’s a riddle for ya! What gets cooler as it gets hotter?
Purim Shrinkies of course! the latest in school-yard fashion, these handmade, one of a kind keychains were crafted by our creative kids at the Craft Stall! Once designed and coloured to perfection the plastic creation is heated using a heat gun and shrinks down to about 40% of its original size. The most adorable little shrinkie keychain charm . How cool!?
“i come from a land down under” and at many points post October 7th we’ve felt, individually and collectively, pain, confusion and also unsure as to how we, so far, continually make a difference to support those in Israel, to create a positive impact in light of all the terror. Writing letters of hope, support, and resolutions to do good in this world remind our brothers and sisters in Israel that they are not alone, and that they have support and love the world over. These postcards will be hand-delivered by someone in our community to Israel, to injured soldiers in rehab, adults and children recovering from the trauma of living through October 7 and others in need of pick me up. What a truly loving and kind impact to make amidst our Purim celebrations.
The setting sun casts long shadows, bathing the marketplace in a warm, golden light, a signal that the day's festivities is drawing to a close. Yet, even as the families begin to pack away their mats, and the marquees begin to be disassembled, the market retains its vibrant spirit, a reminder of the enduring allure and timeless charm of the jewish people coming together as a community.
our infinite thanks to our unwavering supporters who helped make this incredible day happen with their time, resources and expertise, shlepping muscles and more. We couldn’t do this without you!