Purim

Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman in the days of Queen Esther of Persia.

It is celebrated by reading the story of Purim from a special scroll called the megilla, having a festive meal, giving to charity and exchanging gifts of food with family and friends.

Children, and sometimes adults, dress up in fancy costumes.

The Fast of Esther occurs just before Purim. It commemorates the fast undertaken by the Jewish people when they learned of the decree of annihilation planned against them.