7'6 is Week

ACTION.

Israel's Matza Lunch

Country takes a Passover break from
its normal secular hustle.

HELEN SCHARY MOTRO

APRIL 21-27 TRADITIONAL PASSOVER CUISINE, from 11 to 4
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Couture Salon

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Cosmetics

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THE SOMERSET COLLECTION 248.643.3300

Happy Passover

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Special to The Jewish News

Jerusalem

po

assover in Israel is a block-
buster week, when the coun-
try acts not only Israeli but
overwhelmingly Jewish as
well. The air turns electric far in
advance.
Supermarkets are jammed, ringing
up the highest sales all year. Matzot
are sold in packages the size of small
suitcases, with people buying more
than they could ever possibly need.
Wine sales total $30 million.
Messengers on motorcycles clog the
roads delivering endless bouquets of
flowers and gift baskets. A pet shop
even displays "doggie" gift baskets con-
taining Passover treats for a beloved pet.
People send gifts to their postman,
their doctor, the staff of their apartment
buildings, and presents are exchanged
within families. Almost every employer
gives Passover gifts to its workers, which
have come to be viewed as integral
components of their compensation. The
average amount spent on an employee
gift this year was $120.
Government offices ended a strike
this month just in time to go back to
work a few days before shutting down
for the entire holiday. Hundreds of
thousands of Israelis leave the country
for vacation abroad. Because the
Ministry of the Interior, which issues
passports, was also on strike, those
whose passports had expired risked can-
celing their trips, and when the strike
ended, long lines of relieved would-be
travelers immediately formed.
Border crossings into the Sinai have
waits of up to three hours as thou-
sands of Israelis seek to get back to
nature. Hotels throughout the country
are filled to capacity with local tourists
and visitors from abroad. Nature festi-
vals are planned in forests. Children
jam amusement parks, many of them
on outings from unions or large insti-
tutions that organize trips for the off-
spring of employees.

Passover Industry

Controversy arose when the army
announced plans to put soldiers to
work making their bases "kosher for

Passover." In addition, the army
issued regulations that food packages
mailed to soldiers would not be
allowed if they included products
containing flour, and even shaving
kits had to be certified for Passover
use.
A whole sub-industry sells goods
with the religious seal of Passover
approval. Everything from instant cof-
fee to pickles to soda bears a stamp.
As one grocer philosophically put
it, "It raises the prices — but every-
one needs to make a living." Local
firms even market kosher-for-Passover
lipstick and shampoo.
As soon as the holiday starts, the
supermarkets tape plastic sheeting to
cover the racks of all foods out of
bounds on Passover. But people have
been seen to open the tape and fish
out boxes of spaghetti without incur-
ring any problems when they arrive at
the check-out counter.
Many restaurants close for the
whole week rather than tackle the
kitchen difficulties.
Yet, whereas once in Israel bread
on Passover could only be found in
Arab towns, in today's cosmopolitan
culture everything goes. Fast-food
chains like Burger King and
Macdonald's stay open for the boom
holiday traffic, offering grayish ham-
burger buns made from matza meal.
On the evening when the holiday
ends, falafel stands traditionally re-
open with fresh pitas, and hungry
crowds act like they hadn't eaten
bread in a year.
Holiday.eve will see bumper-to-
bumper traffic on all the roads as
families travel to attend seders.
But what about the invisible num-
bers who are without means or family
to celebrate? There is a national hot-
line for food contributions. A reli-
gious radio station broadcasts its
phone number and acts as a clearing-
house, matching those who want to
attend a seder with generous people
willing to host.
The country takes a break from
itself for the holiday. People who wan
to fix their broken vacuum, visit the
dentist or order a paint job may well
arrive at the entrance only to find a
sign hanging from the doorknob:
"Out to a (matza) lunch."

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