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At the Tel-Aviv Airport the customs official greeted us with a steely gaze and pointed questions about our purpose for being here. On the streets of Jerusalem, Orthodox Jewish men dressed in black with traditional brimmed hat perched on the back of their heads shared the same street with Muslim women modestly dressed in ankle-length skirts and traditional headscarves. To enter the main bus station we passed through two metal detectors; men and women in military uniforms carrying their rifles and backpacks were eating in the food court.

Welcome to Israel!

___________

One evening in Jerusalem the high energy of music coming from the Great Synagogue attracted our attention us as we strolled by.

A man just inside the entrance in a black suit and traditional black hat saw us inquisitively looking around. He motioned for us to come in and then continued in conversation with several other men in similar attire. We felt out of place in our casual western dress but accepted his invitation, gingerly proceeding forward. The vibrant sight that greeted us from the stairway leading down to a large social hall completely captivated us for the next hour. We had stumbled into a Jewish Orthodox wedding celebration.

The energy of the live band was only matched by the men dancing in front of it and the women doing the same on the other side of a fabric divider which separated the sexes. Men moved in three concentric circles with their arms resting on each others shoulders as their bodies moved to the rhythm of the music. At one point the groom was hoisted up on a chair and paraded above his male guests.

On the women’s side of the room the bride in her flowing white dress was striking against the background of the female guests who were dancing with and around her dressed in black. Young girls and children danced in the peripheral areas.

Moments after the music stopped a stream of men made their way to the outside courtyard where some enjoyed a smoke. Lively conversation ensued.

What a rousing welcome to Israel we had that night!

Shalom

Merrilee

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