Purim

Kharkov Boys Choir Surprises Crowd on Purim

A special surprise awaited the Jews of Kharkov on Purim: The Kharkov Boys Choir in a debut performance.

2,500 Attend Chabad's Ukraine Purim Bash

Besides Megilla reading, massive Purim celebration at Kharkov's central circus included lions, clowns and acrobats.

Video: Purim Unites People of Israel

Arutz Sheva visited Ramat Beit Shemesh, southwest of Jerusalem, as traditional Purim “Mishlaoch Manot” gifts were distributed.

PurimKef Makes Hundreds of Children Happy

Over 900 people, many of whom are children with disabilities, attended Kav LaChayim's annual Purim party and show.

Photo Essay: Purim 5772

Purim, the holiday of Megillah reading, joy, song, dance, food, drink and costumes, as seen through the lenses of Flash 90.

Soldier Stabbed in Hevron

A terrorist stabbed an IDF soldier in the neck in Hevron before being shot and wounded; raid was to arrest terrorist released in Shalit deal

Soldiers, Settlers Celebrate Purim at Joshua’s Tomb

A reading of the Book of Esther for soldiers and Yesha residents was held at Joshua's Tomb despite desecration by local Arabs

Poll: 55% of Israelis Give 'Mishloach Manot'

A poll of Israelis on how they fulfill the Purim tradition of “mishloach manot” showed that most fulfill the tradition

Eight-Year-Old Seriously Injured by Toy Detonator

Eight-year-old Ron Moriaty from Tiberias was seriously injured by a toy detonator. Police remind public to stay safe on Purim.

The Joyous Holiday of Purim Begins on Wednesday Night

This year, Jerusalemites have a problem with the festive meal on Friday afternoon. There is a unique solution - if you don't drink too much.

Would Israel's Courts Hang Haman?

Rabbi Mordechai Nagari tells Arutz Sheva the Supreme Court would 'strike down' the hanging of the Book of Esther's genocidal arch-villain.

"Olam Haba" Purim Concert and Parade on Mount Zion

Olam Haba, Spiritual Judaism and several other groups are planning the ultimate all-night Purim party atop Jerusalem's Mt. Zion.

Rare Video of Israeli Rabbi in Iran

A rare video shows last year’s visit to the tomb of Queen Esther and Mordechai in Iran. Tehran airport officials asked him, “Pray for us.”

Fast Day in Memory of Esther’s ‘Life-Threatening Request’

Wednesday’s “Fast of Esther” is in memory of her risking her life by approaching the Persian king, her husband, to save the kingdom's Jews.

Video Essay: How Hamantaschen Are Made

In honor of Purim, the folks at Kuvien Images visited a bakery in Modi'in Illit and a Jerusalem home to see how hamantaschen are made.

Participate in A7's Purim Costume Contest!

Purim costume fun from Arutz Sheva - enter and win prizes!

Purim Parades and Concerts Proliferate in Israel

Looking for something exciting to do on Purim? There's no shortage of activities that combine hip and trendy with religious and spiritual.

Olim Send Purim Gift Baskets to IDF Lone Soldiers

New immigrants to Israel (Olim) already are helping out the IDF by packing Purim gift baskets for other olim who are “lone soldiers.”

Netanyahu and Obama Discuss Book of Esther

Netanyahu draws a scriptural parallel between Israel's face-off with Iran and Purim for US President Barack Obama.

New: Megillah Readings for Hard of Hearing

Karaoke-style Powerpoint Megillah presentations to accompany chazan in 200 synagogues.

Rabbi Yosef: Prepare Women to Read Scroll of Esther

None other than former Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef rules that a woman can recite the Scroll of Esther on Purim if no man is available.

Purim Story in Video, in Memory of Udi Fogel

An animated video on the story of Purim is called "The Good, The Bad & the Ugly" and was produced in memory of terror victim Udi Fogel.

Party Brings Purim Joy to Disabled Children

The Amit school ‘Havruta’ in Raanana holds a Purim party for disabled children.

ZAKA, Tzohar Bring Jews Together on Purim

On the holiday of Purim, ZAKA and Tzohar join together to bring Israel's hareidim and secular close together through food packages.

ZOA to Distribute 6,000 Mishloach Manot to IDF Soldiers

In an annual project running for the 12th year, the ZOA will distribute 6,000 Purim gift baskets to IDF soldiers throughout Israel.

‘Cottage Cheese’ Boycott Takes on Chocolate Wafers

One of Israel’s most popular noshes costs 69 cents in the US and double the price in Israel. Can boycotters survive Purim without them?

Rabbi Elon: Do Not Think You'll Be Safe in the King's Palace

In a video speech released in conjunction with the Purim holiday, Rabbi Benny Elon warns that Grand Ayatolla Ali Khameini is modern Israel's Haman.

Photos: Purim in Hevron

Thousands of Jews came to Hevron, one of the four traditionally holy cities, to celebrate Purim. Photos courtesy of David Wilder, Hevron spokesman.

Video: Mercaz HaRav Celebrates Shushan Purim

Jerusalem celebrates Shushan Purim, the day Jews overthrew their Persian enemies. INN TV brings you the joyous dancing at Mercaz HaRav yeshiva.

Arutz Sheva TV Presents: New Purim Song for Kids (& Everyone)

Arutz Sheva's children section records a brand new song in honor of Purim.

Youth to Boost IDF Morale with 20,000 Purim Gifts

Teenagers organize the distribution of 20,000 gift packages to IDF soldiers in honor of Purim.

Knife-Wielding Terrorist Nabbed in Hevron

Would-be stabber was caught near the Cave of Patriarchs, and admitted intention to carry out an attack.

Israel Celebrates Purim 5771

In the face of international pressures, terrorism and a changing Mideast, the world's most ancient living nation rejoices with masks and scrolls.

The Deadly Japanese Tsunami, the Biblical Flood – and Purim

New videos of the Japanese tsunami conjure up images of the Biblical Flood. INN asked a US-born rabbi: Divine Message or a natural catastrophe?

Crown Heights Women's Purim Rally in Memory of Fogel Family

A Crown Heights women's group is holding a Purim rally in solidarity with the Fogel children and in memory of their murdered parents and siblings.

Purim Safety: Beware of Burns

MDA issues its annual Purim safety warnings; Ministry of Trade hunts down dangerous toys.

Tzohar Brings Purim to All with 110 Megillah Readings

The Tzohar organization is bringing Purim joy to all Israelis, with Megillah readings in malls, kibbutzim, sports centers and more.

Nazareth Ilit Reaches Out to Itamar As Purim Approaches

Children, communal leaders, and Strauss Elite managers join forces in Nazareth Ilit's Purim gesture to the residents of Itamar

Purim Begins Saturday Night; Sunday Night in Jerusalem

...in which is detailed why the Fast of Esther was shifted, wherefore wine is imbibed, and other furtive and non-furtive aspects of the happy day.

Public Megillah Reading at UN Iranian Mission

Jews will read the Book of Esther at the Iranian Mission to the UN on Purim, highlighting the threat to Israel posed by a present-day Haman.

Fast of Esther Observed on Thursday

Jews observe Fast of Esther on Thursday from dawn to dusk, to commemorate the fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim.

Deaf Kids Get to 'Hear' the Megillah

A unique event took place on Monday in Haifa: A first public reading of Megillat Esther Book of Esther) – for deaf children.

Third Year: Purim “Kindness” Bus to Make the Rounds

Musical bus and clowns will make the pre-Purim rounds in Bnei Brak this week, entertaining children and collecting goods for the needy.

‘Maccabeats’ Unmask Purim Song

The a capella Yeshiva Maccabeats group, which zoomed to fame with its first song for Chanukah, now unmasks a new performance for Purim.

U.S. Groups to Celebrate Purim At Iran's UN Mission

American Jewish groups plan public reading of the Book of Esther at the Iranian UN Mission in NYC to send a message to Ahmadinejad: You won't win.

US Jews Bring Purim Cheer to IDF Soldiers

US Jews plan to deliver thousands of mishloach manot packages to IDF soldiers in honor of Purim, and to host a festive concert in Ariel.

Another Purim Exclusive: Expose on Dubai Hit

Dubai police released photos of five more suspects using foreign passports and who are wanted for the slaying of a Hamas commander.

Israel’s ‘Second Day’ of Purim -- in Pictures

Jerusalem residents celebrated “Shushan Purim” on Monday, one day after Jews around the world ended their Purim festivities.

American Teens Choose Fast over Basketball

A Jewish girls basketball team chooses the Fast of Esther over a state championship meet.

10,000 Poor Children Receive Purim Costumes

Chabad helps 10,000 needy children with costumes to celebrate the holiday of Purim. Soldiers and princesses are the most popular.

Settling the Land on Purim

Samaria's Jews celebrate Purim while resettling the land: Purim in Homesh and at Joshua's Tomb.

Goldstein's Grave Sealed Off for Purim

Police have sealed off the grave of Baruch Goldstein in Kiryat Arba. "Adloyada" Purim parade will take place there Sunday morning as planned.

Purim Festivities Begin in Jerusalem

Purim festivities that began Saturday night continued Sunday evening when Jerusalem began celebrating the deliverance of Jews in ancient Persia.

Purim Preparations Worldwide

Jewish communities around the world are preparing for the festive Purim holiday. Parades, parties and more in the works.

Attention Parents: Forcing Costumes on Babies Can Ruin Purim

Forcing babies and small children to wear unwanted costumes on Purim can ruin their holiday, advises a psychologist. Keep Purim Happy.

Virtual Purim Exhibit of Ancient Masks and Rattles

The Israel Antiquities Authority is presenting a virtual exhibit of ancient masks and rattles for Purim, when both are used for the holiday.

Tzohar to Hold 60 Megillah Readings Around Israel

The Tzohar organization will hold Megillah readings and Purim celebrations in 60 locations around Israel this year as a way to unite Jews.

Pre-Purim Safety Alerts

As Purim approaches, doctors caution parents to avoid common holiday dangers.

Purim Politics Unmasked: Lieberman Leads Costume Poll

Pre-Purim poll asks Israelis: if you could dress up as any politician, who would it be?

Warning: Some Purim Toys are Not for Children

Parents are being warned to watch out for Purim toys that could be dangerous. Even some costumes pose a danger.