Purim

Purim is celebrated by the reading of the Scroll of Esther, known in Hebrew as the Megillat Esther, which relates the basic story of Purim. Under the rule of King Ahashuerus, Haman, the King’s prime minister, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of the land from destruction. The reading of the Megillah at Or Ami is a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman’s name is read aloud. The clergy and the educators dress as characters from the story (you never know who’s going to be who this year). “This Megillah is a thrillah…”  

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