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What is Purim and how to celebrate it in New York this year

'03.03.2023'

Nadezhda Verbitskaya

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Purim is a Jewish holiday celebrated this week. Here's a guide of sorts to the holiday, including different ways you can celebrate it in New York. NY1.

Purim is considered one of the most fun, happy and joyful holidays in the Jewish calendar. It is dedicated to the salvation of the Jewish people who lived in ancient Persia.

“I would say that Purim is a day of joy,” said Benny Rogosnicki, cantor of the Park East synagogue on the Upper East Side. “There is rarely, if ever, a day filled with more joy, happiness and sincere celebration than Purim.”

In the fourth century, the Persian Empire ruled over 127 lands. When Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire, he ordered the extermination of all Jews in Persia.

“He came up with the idea that Jews are a group that excludes itself from everyone else. And that they want to harm the monarch and there is no reason for them,” said Yehuda Lipsker, rabbi and director of Chabad West Sixty on the Upper West Side. “He thought they were different.”

Esther was the Jewish wife of Ahasura, the Persian king. But Ahasur did not know that his wife was Jewish because she hid it.

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“When Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish and informed him of Haman's plan to exterminate the Jews, Ahasur canceled the order. And the whole story turned upside down,” Lipsker explained.

In the biblical book of Esther, which tells the story of Purim, there is no direct mention of God.

“There was no splitting of the sea, no turning of water into blood,” said Lipsker. “It was a natural event with political maneuvering.”

Photo: IStock

Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar.

In leap years, an extra month is added - Adar II, and Purim falls on the 14th of Adar II. Leap years in the Hebrew calendar occur every few years.

This year, Purim begins on the evening of March 6 and continues until the evening of March 7.

Purim is a statement of Jewish salvation and vitality.

“There is something very beautiful about a holiday when we discuss a terrible existential threat,” says Margo Hughes-Robinson, New York organizer of T'ruah, a Manhattan-based rabbinic advocacy organization. “The resolution of existential fear lies in creating a community and expanding the circle of those whom we consider part of ourselves.”

As anti-Semitism grows in the modern world, Haman symbolizes the oppression of the Jewish people. And the story of Purim represents the victory of the Jews over their oppressors.

“Haman is pure evil,” said Eli Weinstock, president of the New York Board of Rabbis. “This is similar to the anti-Semitism we see today. And, frankly, all kinds of baseless hatred for those who are different from us.”

Many consider Esther a role model. When faced with the choice of hiding her true identity or trying to save her people, she chose the latter.

“She is an example of how to be active and not sit on the sidelines,” Weinstock is convinced. “Some see her as an example for women to take an active role in leadership.”

What are the traditions of Purim

The holiday is celebrated with food, charity, and gatherings.

“The four rules of the holiday are reading the book of Esther, giving to at least two people in need, giving food to at least one friend, and having a festive meal,” Weinstock said.

On Purim, Jews around the world read the story from the Book of Esther, also known as the Megillah, which tells the full story of the Purim miracle.

Sometimes it is a noisy and riotous event, in which a public audience occasionally participates.

As with many other Jewish holidays, during Purim there is an exchange of food and drink. Some distribute food to the poor so that they can take part in the feast. Family and friends send each other mishloach manot - also known as Purim baskets - with food, drink and sweets.

On Purim, some celebrants dress up in costumes, hold carnivals, and participate in parades.

“The main thing is to have fun and be glad that you are a Jew,” Weinstock sums up.

What is hamantashen

Purim became associated with hamantash. These are triangular cakes that are usually stuffed with apricot jam, prunes, chocolate or poppy seeds.

Some believe that the hamantashen symbolize the triangular hat worn by Haman. So the one who eats hamantash symbolically destroys the memory of him. Others believe that the cakes symbolize Haman's pockets, which were filled with bribes from the three patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and even fertility.

“For an older audience, I read that they symbolize fertility, especially if they have a red filling, such as raspberry. It's an early spring holiday," says Lev Meyrowitz Nelson, director of leadership and training at T'ruah.

How Purim is celebrated in the city

In the next few days, Purim-related events, carnivals and parties will be held in five districts of the city. A list of some of them is given below.

  • Staten Island Jewish Community Center named after Joan and Alan Bernikov holds a carnival in honor of Purim on Sunday, March 5, at 11:00. The cost of the event, which includes hamantashen baking and face painting, is $5. But for members of the organization it is free.
  • Kinneret Day School in Spuyten-Duyvil arranges the Purim carnival on Sunday, March 5, at 11:00. Light snacks will be served, tickets cost from $5.
  • Edith and Karl Markov Jewish Community House in Bensonhurst throws a Purim carnival at noon on Sunday, March 5th. Those present will learn about the history of Purim. The entrance is free.
  • Commonpoint Queens Central Queens hosts a Purim event at noon on Sunday, March 5th. The festival will feature crafts, games and prizes. Admission for everyone over 2 years old is $5.
  • Emanu El Downtown Chelsea celebrates Purim on Sunday, March 5 at 16:00 pm. This multisensory Purim event costs $20 but is free for community members and infants under 6 months of age.
  • B'nai Yeshurun ​​in the Upper West Side celebrates Purim on Monday, March 6 at 17:15 pm. At this family event, the megillah will be read and admission is free.
  • Chabad from DUMBO hosts the Purim carnival on Tuesday, March 7 at 16:00 pm. There will be clowns, acrobats, jugglers and carnival games at the festival. Admission is free, but a $20 per family donation is suggested.
  • Synagogue Park East holds the Purim Seuda on Tuesday, March 8 at 17:00 pm. Tickets that include food are $50 for synagogue members and $60 for non-members.
  • Jewish Center of the Bronx at Pelham Parkway hosts a Purim event on Tuesday, March 7 at 17:00 pm. Comedian Eli Lebowicz will perform at the party, admission is free.
  • Jackson Heights United Methodist Church organizes the celebration of Purim on Sunday, March 12 at 10:30 am. Those present are encouraged to wear costumes, bring noise speakers, and bring food donations. The entrance is free.
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