Jubilant scenes were expected in Jerusalem today (April 1st) as the city prepared to host its hotly anticipated Great Reopening Parade (מצעד הפתחיחה הגדולה בירושלים) to mark the city —and the country—emerging from lockdown.
Local sources reported that marching bands were assembling throughout the city in special COVID-friendly capsules.
Bus-fulls of tourists from throughout Israel were expected to congregate on the capital in order to witness the historic event which is being held during one of the intermediate days (hol ha’moed) of the Pesach (Passover) holiday.
The day long parade is expected to kick off at 16:00 local time and will consist of festivities throughout the city as Jerusalem’s residents gather to celebrate the easing of COVID restrictions.
Residents of the capital —like those in the rest of the country— can now access bars, restaurants, hotels, and other entertainment venues if they come bearing a Green Pass which is issued to anybody that has received the requisite vaccination doses or who can demonstrate having recovered from the viral illness.
Among the attractions planed include a unique (kitniot and gluten free) falafel juggling troupe drawn from a kollel in the religious neighborhood of Mea Shearim who will toss falafel balls into the air while singing and dancing.
Additionally a local matsa bakery will prepare its runner up to the world’s largest matsa which was recently hand-baked in the capital and stretches some 20 feet.
The scenes for the Reopening Parade — the first to be held in Israel — are expected to resemble Purim in terms of levity.
Commenting from his home in southern Jerusalem, social media influencer and pundit Shimshon Sam Leshinsky told After Aliyah that he had been looking forward to the day for weeks: “I’ll be like a kid in a candy store eating and taking photos,” the Australian-born commentator admitted.
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This article was published on April Fool’s Day
Article ID: 902
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Efraim Rubinstein moved from Maryland to Jerusalem and works in administrative affairs. He is a passionate advocate for aliyah to Jerusalem.
