Israelis and Friends Mark Good Friday and Passover

Christians in Israel marked Good Friday on Friday, the traditional day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with many churches filled with local parishioners and visitors from around the world. Many Christians in the Holy Land also prepared to join their Jewish friends in celebrating the Feast of the Passover Friday evening, in a rare occurrence of the two holidays coming on the same calendar day. Many neighborhoods in Jerusalem were quiet as families prepared for the evening Seder meal, although sights and sounds of last minute cleaning were accompanied in many places by the smell of burning bread as residents destroyed the last vestiges of chametz (leaven) in their homes. Stands attended by yeshiva students were also set up to scald cooking utensils and oven racks as the smell of traditional foods filled the air as the day wore on into evening and children walked the streets singing songs of liberation from Egypt and gratitude for the many blessings of God. Read More