Now, I know many of you are wondering what Purim is. Well many of us students traveling to Israel from abroad were wondering too. As a matter of fact, many of us at the University of Haifa International School were still wondering all the way up to the time of the celebration on campus.
But it did not keep us from having a blast and celebrating Purim with the best of them.
“I saw men who became ladies as they dressed up like Queen Esther as well as pirates, gypsies, cowgirls, flower children and just some far out wild stuff that I could not figure out.”
For a couple of days, many of us were walking around saying “Happy Purim” to one another. When asked why we were saying this greeting, the only answer we — myself included — could give was that our teacher had said it to us, so I guess it is what we are supposed to say! Since I really wanted to know, I decided to ask some locals and do my own research about what Purim stands for and why it is such a great big celebration.
Lo and behold, I discovered that Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an evil vizier (political minister) who had set out to destroy them, as told in the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. To be clear, Haman not only wanted to destroy the Jews, but kill all Jews in ancient Persia. Haman’s terrible plot backfired, and he found himself hanging from a noose. Many say this happened with the assistance of Queen Esther and her appeal to the King of Persia.
In the present day, Purim is celebrated as one of the most festive holidays in Judaism. It is celebrated each year between the months of February and March. Purim 2018 began on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and went on through to the first Thursday in March. However, many fellow students like me, along with many of the locals from surrounding areas, continued our Purim celebration into the beginning of the following week.
The University of Haifa’s Student Union invited us all to attend the start of the Purim celebrations, and when I arrived I thought I had stumbled onto a Halloween fashion show! The talents and costume styles on display during this event were quite unique and creative. I mean, I saw men who became ladies as they dressed up like Queen Esther as well as pirates, gypsies, cowgirls, flower children and just some far out wild stuff that I could not figure out. All I could say was awesome sauce!
There was dancing, drinks, great food and just good clean all around fun. I completely enjoyed myself and loved watching several of the younger crowd enjoy their first weeks on the campus. Later, we all continued the celebration at the many festivals held in the streets of Haifa. I noticed a lot of mixing and mingling of all the cultures of the area; it seemed as if everyone was having an awesome time.
So no, it was not Halloween or a dress up party, but it was a wonderful celebration of the saving of the Jewish people during a terrible time of trials and hardships.
As can you not tell by the photos, we had an awesome time. Thank you to the University of Haifa’s Student Union Club and Organization for allowing us to take part. We excitedly wait for the next holiday!
Elizabeth Jones is a transfer student majoring in criminal justice and international security and conflict resolution (ISCOR). She is studying at University of Haifa in Israel for an entire academic year.
The global experience, as told by SDSU students 
Comment on this post