Jewish communities around the world are bringing in the Purim holiday this year with feasts, parties, gift giving and entertainment. Beginning Saturday evening, March 19, the daylong holiday commemorates the 356 B.C.E. nullification of a Persian decree as told in the biblical Book of Esther.
In China, the Chabad-Lubavitch run Shanghai Jewish Center is planning a royal-themed celebration and carnival, where local teens will operate the booths. Close to 100 families, children, and businesspeople are expected to attend the events.
In addition to hosting an annual Purim dinner, Rabbi Yisroel Weingarten, director of the Chabad House of Eastern Michigan in Flint, plans to travel Saginaw, nearly an hour away, to celebrate the holiday with its residents.
“We’re looking forward to all of the activities,” said Frumeth Polasky, a retired attorney from Saginaw. “I look forward to making dozens of hamantaschen [triangular Purim cookies], and enjoying this very happy time.”
For the Jewish community in Montevideo, Uruguay, Purim would not be complete without the traditional reading of Esther from a tent situated on the city’s main boardwalk. Passersby can listen to the Purim story chanted from a parchment scroll every hour on the hour. Retirement home residents will also have an opportunity to here the megillah from rabbinical students who will make the rounds of various locations.
(To locate a Purim celebration in your area on Chabad.org’s worldwide listing of events, click here.)
Rabbi Yossi Lipsker, director of Chabad of the North Shore, Mass., awaits the holiday every year in order to host his Mega Purim Celebration. This year, “Unleash the Feast,” is expected to draw at least 300 guests to enjoy a live concert by SoulFarm, petting zoo, sports carnival, face painting, and interactive megillah readings.
“It’s always a nice community gathering,” said Shane Skikne, 18-year-old president of the North of Boston Jew Crew, the teen group that is co-sponsoring the event. “It’s nice to see everyone get together and see old friends.”
Nanette Fridman has attended the celebration for the past two years.
“No one does Purim better than Chabad,” she said. “I’m always impressed by the new and creative ways that they make it captivating for both children and adults.”
The Chabad Jewish Center in Cambodia, meanwhile, is expecting to deliver about 200 traditional gift baskets of food and drink in honor of the holiday. Directors Rabbi Bentzion and Mashie Butman are also offering community members the opportunity to send their own packages to friends.
In El Paso, Texas, a community-wide Purim feast will host about 200 guests, who will be treated to Indian delicacies. Soldiers at a nearby army base will be included in the festivities as well.
For Venice, Fla., residents this year, Purim will be an opportunity to showcase their talents. To celebrate Chabad of Venice and North Port’s fifth anniversary, Rabbi Sholom Ber Schmerling is hosting a talent show for an expected 200 guests.
“I don’t know what to expect, so it’s going to be fun for me too,” said Dave Rubin, one of the judges who will award the competition’s cash prize. “I think there’ll be a lot of [joy], which really goes hand in hand with Purim. I hope to see a lot of happy people on Sunday.”
Myron Storch, a retiree who now works as an amateur clown, is also looking forward to the celebration.
“I think it will be fun for everyone,” said Storch, who is looking forward to a slideshow of Hebrew school students in costume to be played during the megillah reading. “Purim is about being lively and fun, so that’s what we’re planning to do.”
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