Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., March 21, 2008 Adar2 15, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:53 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 22:14 16/03/2008 Scary, hairy and just right for Purim By Tamar Rotem Tags: Purim, costumes, Israel "A wolf whistle and shining ants, please," requests one father, reading from a note. Actually, he has not the faintest idea what these items are, as he readily admits a moment later, rubbing his balding head and standing patiently in line. Why couldn't his son have requested something "normal" like "snot in a hanky" or "fart powder" like everyone else? Before Purim, a costume shop is a fascinating laboratory for exploring parent-child relations and hearing weird conversations. "So we're definitely not going for the devil?" asks one distraught mother, for the fourth time. For some reason, she is walking back and forth in the store, looking for costumes while wearing a one-eyed monster mask and is completely unaware that the mask's discomfort is making her super-nervous. "Well, you're not going to be Superman - that's final," says another mother, dealing her son a blow beneath his red Man-of-Steel belt, adding insult to injury: "Next time, remind me why I don't take you to stores anymore." Advertisement It's Purim time again, and excited children and their tense parents are flocking, as usual, to a familiar Ramat Gan landmark: the Zamir Magic Tricks shop. A week before the holiday, there is already a long line outside the entrance. Numbers are being handed out, as if the customers were patients waiting to see the doctor at a crowded medical clinic. The shop is packed, reminiscent of mom-and-pop grocery stores in Israel's past. There is a wide range of costumes, mostly imports, produced by companies that generate items that are spinoffs of blockbuster movies. The experienced saleswomen rummage through piles of costumes to find precisely what the customer wants. "This year ordinary pirates are out," notes one saleswoman, "and Pirates of the Caribbean are in. Bratz are out, and Britney Spears is in." Many of this year's most popular costumes among boys have been inspired by animated or fantasy movies. Darth Vader, the super-dark "Star Wars" character, is the most popular in the costume shops. For NIS 200 or more (depending on the mask's quality), you can get a mask, a robe and even a small device you can turn on to produce Vader's frighteningly raspy voice, just like in the "Star War" movies. Second in the costume hit-parade for boys is the Invisible Man, a costume associated with America's version of Purim - Halloween. The faceless black costume is quite terrifying. At the front of the store, owner Shlomo Zamir, serves customers who are amateur magicians. He gives a running commentary as he enjoys demonstrating stupid magic tricks and sleight-of-hand classics. He opened the store as a young man; today, his hair is salt-and-pepper, and his grown-up children work in the store. His wife operates the cash register, remaining glued to her seat because of the many customers. In Zamir's eyes, Israeli-manufactured costumes are rags. He is especially proud of his unique imports: Superwoman, Supergirl and female pirates. A silk-and-brown-lace female pirate dress comes with matching boots (NIS220). However, his most stunning collection is his array of masks. Rows and rows of professional masks that cover your head, not just your face, hang close to the ceiling. Most of them are goose-pimple-producing reminders of horror and science fiction flicks; while some are those of celebrities, like Michael Jackson. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Good Avraham Hunting An ex-security guard solves a problem that has baffled mathematicians for decades. A better place Some 2,400 African refugees have entered Israel via Egypt since January.   1.   Dress like a Goy! 21:21  |  Yechiel 21/03/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Macho U.S. Jews, pantywaist Israel Responses: 77 Jewish group seeks to purge YouTube of anti-Semitic videos Responses: 126 PM says worried Russian weapons will reach Hezbollah Responses: 83 Israel, Germany plan int'l summit to stop Iran nuke program Responses: 72 13-year-old boy wounded in terror attack near Hebron Responses: 71 Editorial: J'lem yeshiva massacre must not lead to boycott of Israeli Arabs Responses: 71 More Headlines 20:56 Israel, Russia finalize deal on supply of armored vehicles to PA 21:24 Haniyeh to expand gov't in bid to strengthen Hamas hold on Gaza 16:05 IAF grounds all F-16I jets over carcinogenic material in cockpit 13:56 Hamas man dies in likely 'work accident' at Gaza training camp 21:35 Ch. 2 airs satellite footage after High Court rejects Ch. 10 appeal 16:08 Christian pilgrims flock to Jerusalem's Old City for Good Friday 10:53 Queen Vashti - from disobedient wife to religious feminist role model 13:19 Officials: Israel to begin outfitting airliners with anti-missile systems within weeks 18:55 German Jewish leader raps pope over prayer for conversion of Jews 18:53 T.A. court extends remand of parents suspected of seriously abusing baby 16:34 Investing in Fayyad 09:53 13-year-old boy wounded in terror attack near Hebron Previous Editions Select Day 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar 07 mar

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer READY FOR PURIM? BUT - Who Will Guard The Hamentasch? Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM FREE JEWISH HISTORY COURSE Berel Wein's best selling lectures. 5000 Years in Five hours /CD/MP3 Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved