BaltimoreJewishLife.com | Pesach in Yerushalayim (Photo Essay)

Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 18, 2022 - With riots and protests being shared in mainstream and social media, BJL took a walk to the Old City by way of Jaffa Gate to see the reality on the ground, on Sunday, April 17, 2022, the second day of Pesach.

While in the morning two public buses and been stoned and passengers were injured by shattered glass, by midday the situation was calm as thousands of people were in the Old City. Families strolled. Long-time friends stopped to hug and reconnect. After two years of corona closings, extended families were reunited with overseas relatives. Security was visible as Pesach coincided on Sunday with Ramadan, Easter, and Orthodox Palm Sunday. There were broken windows in the Al Aqsa mosque. However, the mood was upbeat in crowds below celebrating their holidays.

The Rova was filled with the Pesach lunch crowd. Pizza, bagels, ice cream, and meat venues were open to serve Kosher for Passover food to hungry customers.

On a hot day, water was also important. At some locations, bottles of water were for sale at various prices. At one spot on the way to the Kossel thru the Jewish Quarter, water was offered free to those who would say the bracha. And in the afternoon, the Iriya, Jerusalem municipality was offering bottled water to anyone who passed by Jaffa Gate.

In spite of the rioters on Har Habayit, thousands of people were in and about the Old City on Pesach and attended the Birchas Kohanim on Monday morning.

The photo essay contains the scenes of the way to the Kossel from Jaffa Gate by way and back thru Mamilla Mall, for those not in Yerushalayim this year, we say "Next year in Jerusalem."