15 March 2017/17 Adar 5777
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THE POMP AND THE PAGEANTRY, THE PRIDE AND THE PASSION
BRITAIN’S NEWEST JEWISH NEWSPAPER IN A GENERATION
PHOTO CREDIT - AVI YODAKIN
PURIM CAPTURED IT ALL BY LEON SYMONS
The smiling faces and the crazy costumes tell the whole story – the community went Purim potty as never before. From London to Leeds, from Chigwell to Cheadle, from Brighton to Birmingham, they Purim-partied all weekend long. Children, of course, were in the vanguard, as usually-drab shul halls shed their solemnity to be draped in all colours of the rainbow and more. Thousands of people, dressed up in the most outrageous and garish costumes, went to special parties and seudot up and down the country. The usual centres of Jewish life vibrated with vim and vigour, with shuls banding together as the community pranced and paraded to the pulse of Purim.
Rabbis who normally hold themselves aloof from such frolics and frivolity cast off their ministerial garb and joined in the festivities wholeheartedly. Rabbi Mendy Brukirer, from Aish Essex, spent five hours having his face turned into that of a leopard for a competition and for the mitzvah of spreading good cheer during the month of Adar by cheering up a sick child. Even Kisharon’s Bucket collection 2017 surpassed all expectations as a whopping 500 buckets and tins were distributed to swell Kisharon’s coffers. Richard Franklin, Kisharon’s director of fundraising, marketing and communications, said: “This year’s support from those wanting to collect for us has surpassed anything we have previously seen - and it’s a credit to our community.”
IN-DEPTH PURIM COVERAGE STARTS P6
PARSHA: KI TISA PARSHAT PARAH
LONDON MANCHESTER LEEDS
Jessica Ackerman, 8 years old, Menorah Foundation School
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