Jerusalem marks festive Purim in war’s shadow
JERUSALEM — Tens of thousands of people celebrated the Jewish holiday of Purim on Monday, although the traditionally boisterous celebrations were muted by the Israel-Hamas war.
Although many cities across Israel decided to cancel their Purim celebrations because of the ongoing conflict, Jerusalem held a traditional Purim parade for the first time in 42 years, featuring large floats of beloved children’s characters and fantastical creations.
Jerusalem celebrates the festival of Purim, which marks the victory of Jews over a tyrant in ancient Persia, one day later than the rest of the country.
Some people believe that Jerusalem should have canceled the “Unity Parade” and other Purim celebrations because of the war. About two dozen family members and supporters of the Israeli hostages in Gaza protested, chanting “Shame! Shame!” at the start of the parade.
Other family members of the hostages kicked off the parade, marching silently at the front with a giant yellow ribbon and 134 folded yellow cranes, one for each of the hostages in Gaza.
Jerusalem transforms into a raucous festival during Purim. Families in colorful costumes throng the downtown, with children eating copious amounts of traditional triangle cookies. Musicians set up on balconies overlooking the main thoroughfare, and street parties in the stone alleys stretch into the evening.
Sara Sasi, one of thousands of people evacuated from northern Israel because of fighting with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, said her family was still able to find the magic within the holiday, despite the uncertainty of when they would be able to return home.