Purim
This year, Purim is not funny
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 7, 2023
The end of the book of Esther is not pretty. Here is why it matters -- more than ever.
Queen Vashti is not the feminist symbol many want her to be
By Avi Shafran — March 6, 2023
(RNS) — It’s sad to see a carefully preserved Jewish historical tradition sacrificed on the altar of a contemporary ism.
Can clergy avoid burnout?
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 21, 2022
(RNS) — Religious leaders cannot be everything and they cannot do everything. Ask Mordecai, the hero of Purim.
With Ukraine, Purim’s miracle has new urgency
By Ariel Zwang — March 17, 2022
(RNS) — In the last two weeks, I have seen the work of numerous Esthers carrying on her legacy.
Ahead of Purim, Jewish students take up fasting to show solidarity with Ukraine
By Yonat Shimron — March 16, 2022
(RNS) — As Russian forces pummel Ukraine, Hillel International has been spurred to connect the mostly overlooked fast to meet the needs of the current crisis.
The joys and ironies of Purim echo through history
By Avi Shafran — March 16, 2022
(RNS) — On Purim, Jews celebrate having overcoming their darkest hours.
A line in ‘Mrs. Maisel’ sums up Purim
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 16, 2022
(RNS) — Gitta the matchmaker said it. Do I believe it? Sometimes.
Purim spiels: Skits and satire have brought merriment to an ancient Jewish holiday in America
By Zev Eleff — March 14, 2022
(The Conversation) — The Jewish holiday of Purim, being celebrated on March 17 this year, has an interesting tradition of satirizing life in yeshivas.
President Biden just made a serious human rights blunder
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 1, 2021
(RNS) — This will not be the last time that President Biden disappoints us. Because that's what rulers do.
How New York’s 19th-century Jews turned Purim into an American party
By Zev Eleff — February 24, 2021
(The Conversation) — Purim put a social spotlight on New York’s Jews and their up-and-coming relationship to the city’s most elite class.
It’s the happiest of Jewish holidays. But this Purim, many are feeling sad.
By Yonat Shimron — February 23, 2021
(RNS) — This year as they mark Purim, a one-day holiday that begins Thursday evening (Feb. 25), American Jews are viewing the raucous, rollicking feast with a touch of grief.
Virus outbreak disrupts joyous Purim fest, but some improvise
By David Crary — March 10, 2020
NEW YORK (AP) — Purim is traditionally one of the most joyous Jewish holidays, but some celebrations in Israel and hard-hit parts of the United States are being scaled back or canceled due to the coronavirus threat.
Rabbis express concern about excesses of Purim celebrations
By Michele Chabin — March 19, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — For many Jews, the holiday of Purim has become too commercialized, and alcohol, according to one rabbi, 'has become the star of the holiday.'
Are we witnessing the triumph of evil?
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 18, 2019
When the spirit of Amalek entered those mosques in Christchurch, NZ.
Orthodox rabbi to host ‘alternative Yom Kippur’ service in beer garden
By Menachem Wecker — September 25, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Jews are supposed to abstain from food and drink on the most holy day of the Jewish year. So why is this rabbi holding services in a bar?
Page 1 of 2
