Jerusalem District Travel Forum

does anyone know are there many shops in mea shearim that sell the mens traditional dress such as the coats socks breeches etc and if i tried to buy them would they sell them to me

also is there a good way to take photos at the moment i think is should just take a photo quickly then move on

The shops exist but they are not on the main streets and they may not welcome a customer from outside of their own ultra orthodox group.

If you do try to take a photo you may get away with it if you are very careful BUT NEVER on Saturday!!! Or Friday afternoon for that matter.

When I visited we were advised by our Jewish guide, not to try taking pictures in this area as the Orthodox community would not like it. This we found to be true when my friend took a scenic street shot that captured an Orthodox Jewish gentleman in the shot, as he walked past. He expressed his upset most vehemently. We were more cautious after that for fear of causing offence. Dress appropriately, do not make an obvious appearance of staring or being touristy - general respect rules I think and you will experience another side to Jerusalem.

Yes, 'take a photo quickly then move on', is a good idea.
These fanatic people [most but not all residence of Mea Shearim] are not Doberman dogs. Be reasonable and they will not harm you. Choicely or not, Ultra Orthodox Jews in this neighbourhood are tourist attraction.

I stayed in the Novotel Hotel which is opposite Mea Shearim. I kept my camera down by my hip and shot pics from there. No one seemed to notice

I freely took pictures in Mea Shearim. As long as you don't take a picture of a person there is no problem. In any case, there are a lot of other places which are almost identical to mea shearim and are much easier to take pictures in. For examples, you can go Nachlaot (see my Jerusalem page). I find it more interesting than mea shearim as it is more diversed. You have the Hungraian courts, like mea shearim, but also courts founded by other ethnical groups.

odds are you would not be able to find the shops. They are basically hidden away on side streets, above and below street level etc. etc. If you found one I do not know if you could buy items.

RE: taking pictures. The Ultra Orthodox who live in Mea Shearim feel it is against Jewish law to take pictures of them. This is their home, it is not a Disney world display. Why you would want to be disrespectful is beyond me. I know others have indicated the sly way they have managed to take pictures. But don't forget--the residents are not on display. How about some respect!

odds are you would not be able to find the shops. They are basically hidden away on side streets, above and below street level etc. etc. If you found one I do not know if you could buy items.

RE: taking pictures. The Ultra Orthodox who live in Mea Shearim feel it is against Jewish law to take pictures of them. This is their home, it is not a Disney world display. Why you would want to be disrespectful is beyond me. I know others have indicated the sly way they have managed to take pictures. But don't forget--the residents are not on display. How about some respect!

Re: taking pictures, anonymous lady,
we're talking practically, not philosophically,
or maybe you're Ultra Orthodox yourself?