The Day of Bike Riding (aka: a sociologist's view of Yom Kippur in Jerusalem)

Here is a list of things that make Yom Kippur in Jerusalem different from anywhere else in the world:

* There is not a single car out on the road. A friend told me that there was a law saying you couldn't drive - I don't know about that, but there's definitely a culture where no one drives in the city.
* The ambulance and police car that did drive by swirved around the people walking in the streets, instead of the other way around.
* TV and radio stations were all "off" for the day
* The traffic lights don't work - they all blink yellow for the whole day.
* After Kol Nidre services, TONS of people were out in the street - literally walking down the middle of the streets, socializing and seeing each other.
* Everyone wears white on erev Yom Kippur - even if they aren't going to shul. It was more socially acceptable to be wearing a white Hanes t-shirt than a colorful dress or suit. How come American shuls don't adopt this? It would certainly cut down on the feeling of needing to dress to impress.
* The Day of Atonement could also be known as "The Day of Bike Riding" - without cars driving around, the roads are clear for bikes, skates, skateboards, and other non-motorized wheeled transportation. Kids go zipping up and down the roads all day and night. Some were dressed for shul and others for a day off from school. Most were wearing white.

All in all, the day had a certain atmosphere to it that, even if you weren't spending the day praying in a synagogue, it would be impossible not to notice the uniqueness of the day. It was a pretty special experience, and I'm very glad that I got to be here for it!