Purim: 14th of Adar in the Diaspora, March 16-17, 2022
Happy Purim! Chag Purim sameach! Ah freilichen Purim! Purim alegre y dulce!
The Jewish holiday of Purim (Hebrew: פורים) or “Festival of Lots” begins this Wednesday evening. Purim commemorates events that took place during the time of the Achaemenid Empire and, like many Jewish festivals, celebrates how the Jewish people overcame an attempt to destroy them. Jews typically gather to hear a live reading of the Book of Esther (מגילת אסתר), exchange gifts, eat a festive meal, and give food and/or money to those in need. It is typical for many communities to host parties and arrange costume parades for children while synagogues perform humorous reenactments (spiels) of the Purim tale. Families often bake and enjoy sweet treats like hamantaschen, fazuelos, and orejas de haman together!
The Jewish Student Union will also be holding a Megillah reading event Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. for students, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, to participate in and learn about one of the central obligations of the holiday. Location TBD.
