Preparing for Purim around the globe
Jewish carnival in Rio, a military tent in New Zealand, and original sock competition in Milan - world's Jewish communities gear up for holiday
Around the world, Jewish communities are preparing for of the upcoming Purim holiday. World Bnei Akiva and Jewish Agency emissaries in more than 30 countries around the globe are organizing hundreds of special events, Megillat Esther readings, educational programs and parties for the local communities.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The Brazilians have not yet come down off the excitement from the traditional Brazilian carnival held in the city, and have decided to continue with carnival festivities of their own in the Purim spirit. "The famous Brazilian carnival just ended, so we at Bnei Akiva Rio will try and show the Jewish community what the real happiness of Judaism is," said Baruch Avivi, World Bnei Akiva emissary to Brazil. Hundreds of community members are expected to show up at the main event.
Hamburg, Germany: The Lehava young emissaries will host tens of local Jewish teens for the traditional Purim Seuda (feast). "The Jewish youth in Hamburg were in need of a special place to celebrate the Purim holiday," said Tehilla Glassner, Lehava emissary in Hamburg. "Many Jewish youth approached us and asked to celebrate Purim at our home. During the festive meal we will explain about the holiday of Purim, its unique customs, some of which they never heard of."
The emissaries also invited young adults from many small Jewish communities in the Hamburg area, in order to let any Jew that wants to celebrate the holiday a place to do so.
North Miami Beach, Florida: The members of the city's Young Israel synagogue are looking for something a bit different than the usual costume party and decided that all members of the community will dress up together around a joint theme. The entire community will take part in a 'mock wedding' - each member of the community received an invitation for the fictitious wedding, which will take place on Purim eve. Each couple and family received a guest role to dress up as in a different costume: bride and groom, witnesses, flower girl, the Rabbi and more ...
Auckland, New Zealand: The small southern Jewish community will be one of the first on the globe to celebrate the Purim holiday. The Jewish youth movements in Oakland, Habonim Dror and Bnei Akiva are organizing the main event in one of the big communal parks in the city. The organizers established a huge military tent in which members of the community will read the Megilla (scroll).
Milan, Italy: The Jewish community in the fashion capital of Europe decided to think outside of the box this year: Each youth group is responsible for producing a professional video clip presenting a chapter from the Purim story. The entire production will be screened to the community during the festivity's main event. Each chapter of the production will be inspired by a famous Hollywood movie: Superman, Zorro, etc ... And since Milan is one of the fashion capitols of Europe, all guests were asked to attend the Bnei Akiva party with only socks on their feet. A competition will be held amongst the celebrants with prizes going to whomever creates the most original pair of socks.
