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| [Santa at the beach*] |
The Middle East has
this sometimes-nasty tendency of rendering clear terms complex .
Nothing is simple, even holidays. For example, in Europe and North America
(Canada, Mexico AND the United States), South America and many countries in
Asia, people and business are in the Christmas cycle of purchasing gifts and
food for the holiday, finishing projects before the office closes and making
final preparations for the seasonal trip or family visit. Outside, in the
Canada, the United States and Northern Europe, it is quite cold, even snowing,
adding to the seasonal feeling and complicating all driving. Those cheery
pictures from Christmas movies have an element of reality.
Alas, in the
birthplace of Christianity, the reality is rather different in terms of weather
and holiday feeling. First of all, Israel is “enjoying” a rather balmy
December, around 22C (in the 70’s in Fahrenheit, with nary a rain cloud, not to
even mention snow flake, to be seen. It is true that December can be cold in
some years but “cold” is far above zero here. As for Christmas, aside from in
the Christian villages of Israel, a traveler in Israel could be forgiven for
not realizing that Christmas is in a few days as there the TV channels are not broadcasting any ads urging you to purchase this or that annd Christmas music is as common as Artie
Shaw clarinet solos. Admittedly, the Russian retail chains do have various
Christmas decorations on sale, including chocolate Santas, but that touch is far
from omnipresent. On the other hand, Jews, Christians and Muslims all enjoy the
star of Hannukah, the suvgoniot, fried jelly donuts, and
enthusiastically discuss the price of commercial ones and the recipes of home
ones. I personally feel that latkes, potato pancakes, are a more
justified calorie intake but as they say in French, chacun son gout, to
each his own. In short, Christmas in the Holy Land is quite different than
elsewhere.
That said, Christmas
in Israel is an opportunity for tourists. The warm weather allows comfortable
touring throughout the country and even getting a tan on the beach. Try that in
Germany or the UK. If you want to purchase anything, stores are open as usual.
The tourist can get a few minutes of “Christmas” atmosphere by going to the
German Colony in Haifa (recommended) or Abu Gush or Nazareth in the Galilee.
This year Hannukah and Christmas are basically at the same time, allowing visitors
to enjoy the Jewish candle countdown during the eight days of the festival of
light. Children can experience Festivigal, an Israeli long-running
children’s music show that runs during the holiday. For those scrooges seeking
a non-holiday atmosphere, Israel is perfect, how ironic.
Businesses
trying to function during the December dead day may find Israel is a source of relief. Except for Christians on December 24-25 and those going on vacation,
all service providers are on a “business as usual” mode, meaning it is possible
and even convenient to find any service you want. Sunday is even a standard
working day in Israel, rendering the weekend much less catastrophic. You can
say that one person’s holiday is another person’s opportunity.
For those with a
historical, spiritual or religious bent, a trip to Israel can provide
fascinating perspective on the past and present in terms of the complex
relationship between ethnicity and faith. In the Middle East your tribe is your
religion. While people enjoy cross-cultural friendships and some people are of mixed
religions, when matters get tense, as does happen from time to time, you trust
“one of our own”. It is possible to see this dynamic in any mixed village or
city, including Jaffa (Yafo), Haifa and Rami. Faith in the Middle East is not merely
matter of religion but also and possibly more importantly of personal identity.
On the bright side, msot of the time Israel shows what happens when people respect each other’s
faith and do not impose their own. All religions, including Christianity, are thriving. That message is relevant for the whole
world. Thus, Israel provides a unique view of the world some 2000 years ago as
even now at least in terms of social interaction.
So, a trip to Israel
in December can be shocking, entertaining and/or educational, depending on the
person’s expectations. The atmosphere of the holiday season in the Holy Land is
certainly completely different that of Europe and North America. On a positive
note, it is less kitschy and much warmer, temperature-wise at least. Those
seeking professional services at a non-holiday rate during the last week of
September should definitely consider a provider from this region. Finally,
those seeking understanding of the origins of Christianity and tensions of the
modern-day Middle East should definitely see it with their own eyes. Israel is
not what you imagine. If you cannot make this year, have a happy holiday
however you celebrate it.
* Picture captions
help the blind fully benefit from the Internet.
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