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Temple Judea Mizpah celebrates Purim
Temple Judea Mizpah Rabbi Amy L. Memis-Foler plays King Akhashverosh during a play Sunday to celebrate Purim at the Skokie synagogue. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 1, 2013 6:30AM
If there’s such thing as a Jewish Mardi Gras, it might very well be the holiday of Purim.
Temple Judea Mizpah Sunday celebrated Purim — also known as the Feast of Lots — with a festive play, music and some carnival games for the family.
The holiday celebrates the Jews’ redemption in ancient Persia from the threat of annihilation. The story of Purim is told in the biblical book of Esther, with the scroll it’s written on called the Megillah.
Esther became queen, and her uncle, Mordecai, saved the Jews from the evil designs of Haman, the wicked adviser to the king of Persia, King Ahasuerus. The play at Temple Judea Mizpah Sunday recounted these events with children in most of the roles.
Children are often at the heart of modern-day Purim celebrations. The holiday is often marked with costumes, plays, festive meals, pageants, joke telling and gifts of food and drink.
