Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rainfall
There is virtually no
rainfall in Jerustalem
from April to October.
Showers begin to
occur in autumn and
winter, and during
January and
February skies are
often filled with
threatening grey
clouds. Visitors at
this time would be
wise to go armed
with an umbrella.
AVER
A
AGE MONTHLY RAINFALL IN JERUSALEM
Inches
mm
150
6
120
4
90
60
2
30
0
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
DECEMBER
Hanukkah
. The Jewish
Festival of Lights, this
commemorates the
reconsecration of the Temple
in 164 BC
(see p42)
. It
lasts eight days, and is
celebrated by the lighting
of candles in a special eight-
branched menorah.
Christmas
(24 -25 Dec)
.
A Christmas Eve procession
from Jerusalem arrives in
Bethlehem for midnight mass
at the Church of the Nativity
(see pp194 -5)
. To attend
this service you must book
in advance at the
Christian Informa-
tion Centre in
Jerusalem
(see
p101)
. The mass
is also projected
on a huge screen
in Manger
Square. The
service at Abu
Ghosh
(see
p139)
is also
impressive. In Nazareth a
procession is held on the
afternoon of Christmas Eve,
Skiing on Mount Hermon, possible during January and February
JANUARY
which ends with services
held in the town's six churches.
International Choir
Festival
(26 Dec)
, Nazareth.
In the days following the
choir festival, the town plays
host to sacred music concerts.
Tiberias Marathon
(Dec- Feb)
.
Less well-known than the
Jerusalem Marathon, this
attracts many runners
because of the scenery along
the route
(see pp182 -3)
.
Orthodox Christmas
(7 Jan)
, Jerusalem. This is
celebrated on Christmas Eve
with a service at the Holy
Trinity
T Church in the Russian
Compound
(see p124)
.
Armenian Christmas
(19 Jan)
, Jerusalem. This is
celebrated with a Christmas
Eve mass at St James's
Cathedral in Jerusalem's Old
City
(see pp106 -7)
Hanukkah
candles
y
.
FEBRUARY
Purim
. This festival celebrates
the salvation of the Jews in
Persia from threatened
genocide (related in the Old
Testament Book of Esther).
The Scroll of Esther is read
publicly in the morning and
on the evening of Purim.
Children wear fancy dress
costumes, while adults
participate with the giving
of gifts to the poor and to
friends, feasting and drinking.
Jewish children dressed up as part of Purim festivities
