On Purim, Jews today remember how Esther saved the Jews of Persia from annihilation, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. In general, Purim celebrates Jewish survival. Despite the plans of others to persecute and even annihilate Jews in the past, the Jewish People has survived for approximately 4,000 years.

Purim customs include food baskets (mishloach manot, shlach manos), hamantashen pastries (oznay haman), a festive meal (seudat Purim), charity (matanot l'evyonim), Purim parades (adloyada), Purim plays (shpiels), carnivals (shuk Purim), costumes and noisemakers. The festive celebration makes Purim a favorite Jewish holiday for children and adults alike.

The story of Purim is a great tale. There is a beautiful, courageous heroine, an all powerful king, a loyal cousin, and a villain who gets foiled by his own evil plans. Read and enjoy!

Once upon a time, between the destruction of the First Temple and the building of the Second Temple, the Jews were almost destroyed.
In the city of Shushan, Vashti, the Queen of Persia, refuses to obey the order of the King of Persia, Ahasuerus, to appear before his guests. The King then searches the country for a new queen. From among hundreds of applicants, Esther, cousin of Mordechai the Jew, is chosen.