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Well, the beginning of March was Purim. Purim is a big party. It is similar to Halloween, in that everyone dresses up in crazy costumes, and there are parties, but that is where the similarities end. Purim is actually a religious holiday. Traditionally, you go to synagogue to hear the reading of the “Megillah”, the scroll telling the story of Purim, the defeat of our enemy Haman, and the victory of the Jews. Other than this, Purim is essentially a big party. You are supposed to celebrate life, and it is actually a “mitzvah” (good deed) to get drunk on Purim. I went to a party with some of my friends. Everyone was dressed up in outrageous costumes, and there was live music, and it was a lot of fun. Some of my other friends went into Tel Aviv for Purim, and I wish I had as well. They said that people were just partying in the streets, on the bus, everywhere you went. This didn’t surprise me, since Tel Aviv is a party city, but I am sorry I missed it. Next year!

MARCHing forward!

Leah Schneier
2007-04-21 21:48:43

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Well, the beginning of March was Purim. Purim is a big party. It is similar to Halloween, in that everyone dresses up in crazy costumes, and there are parties, but that is where the similarities end. Purim is actually a religious holiday. Traditionally, you go to synagogue to hear the reading of the "Megillah", the scroll telling the story of Purim, the defeat of our enemy Haman, and the victory of the Jews. Other than this, Purim is essentially a big party. You are supposed to celebrate life, and it is actually a "mitzvah" (good deed) to get drunk on Purim. I went to a party with some of my friends. Everyone was dressed up in outrageous costumes, and there was live music, and it was a lot of fun. Some of my other friends went into Tel Aviv for Purim, and I wish I had as well. They said that people were just partying in the streets, on the bus, everywhere you went. This didn't surprise me, since Tel Aviv is a party city, but I am sorry I missed it. Next year!

One Shabbat, I went to my religious cousins for the weekend. I do not know my religious cousins very well, and most of them don't speak English, so I had been hesitant when they first extended an invitation several months ago. I had really wanted to go before, but just hadn't gotten around to it until now. Thankfully, my Hebrew was much better and I knew I would be able to communicate normally with them. I got there Friday afternoon and the family immediately welcomed me. My cousin's family has 4 children, 2 older teenage daughters and 2 younger boys. Shabbat night started with the men going to synagogue, and then a huge dinner. At the end of the meal, the kids sang a bunch of Shabbat songs, and then everyone went to their rooms. I went out with the oldest girl, Adi, and her friends. We just walked around town, because everyone is out in the streets Friday night, meeting up with their friends. I guess I should explain how religious they are. On Shabbat, they don't use electricity. One or two lights ...