2008 Woodie Awards
Holy Havoc: a look at the Jewish festival of Purim
Anne Dunne
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News
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A mixture of playful celebration and serious remembrance marks the Jewish Holiday of Purim that Rabbi Yvonne Youngberg came to explain to students and the community on Tuesday.
Purim, the last Jewish holiday of the Liturgical cycle, falls on the fourteenth day of the Adar and celebrates the Jewish victory over Persian oppression
"It is meant to turn the world on it's head and make the expectations of who we are and what we do not so important," said Rabbi Youngberg. " It is a fun and lighthearted holiday to get together with the community and rejoice."
Alysson Detroy, sophomore, East Northport, N.Y. said that it was a very interesting lecture.
"It brings a different perspective to me since going to a Catholic school you don't usually hear the Jewish side of things. Rabbi Youngberg really helped open our eyes to their side," she said.
Purim began the lecture with a story from the Book of Esther that explains the origin of the holiday of Purim.
In the story, the King of Persia asks his queen to dance for him in front of his friends but she is banished from the kingdom because she refuses his request. The king holds a beauty contest and the winner is automatically named queen of Persia. Esther, a Jew, is the woman who wins the contest. Mordecai, a faithful follower of the king, learns about a plot that Haman, an advisor, plans to kill the king, recounted Youngberg.
Haman doesn't like the Jews and wants everyone to bow down to him. Mordecai refuses and a war breaks out. Haman tries to kill all of the Jews but is unsuccessful and hung. The Jews then Massacre their enemies and the king and queen make the holiday of Purim, explained Rabbi Youngberg.
"The Rabbi did a great job making it more interesting than other lectures giving me a better understanding about the holiday of Purim and my Jewish friends," said Heather Fumiatti, sophomore, Vernon.
During the lecture, Youngberg offered to share a part of the celebrations that occur during Purim.
Purim, the last Jewish holiday of the Liturgical cycle, falls on the fourteenth day of the Adar and celebrates the Jewish victory over Persian oppression
"It is meant to turn the world on it's head and make the expectations of who we are and what we do not so important," said Rabbi Youngberg. " It is a fun and lighthearted holiday to get together with the community and rejoice."
Alysson Detroy, sophomore, East Northport, N.Y. said that it was a very interesting lecture.
"It brings a different perspective to me since going to a Catholic school you don't usually hear the Jewish side of things. Rabbi Youngberg really helped open our eyes to their side," she said.
Purim began the lecture with a story from the Book of Esther that explains the origin of the holiday of Purim.
In the story, the King of Persia asks his queen to dance for him in front of his friends but she is banished from the kingdom because she refuses his request. The king holds a beauty contest and the winner is automatically named queen of Persia. Esther, a Jew, is the woman who wins the contest. Mordecai, a faithful follower of the king, learns about a plot that Haman, an advisor, plans to kill the king, recounted Youngberg.
Haman doesn't like the Jews and wants everyone to bow down to him. Mordecai refuses and a war breaks out. Haman tries to kill all of the Jews but is unsuccessful and hung. The Jews then Massacre their enemies and the king and queen make the holiday of Purim, explained Rabbi Youngberg.
"The Rabbi did a great job making it more interesting than other lectures giving me a better understanding about the holiday of Purim and my Jewish friends," said Heather Fumiatti, sophomore, Vernon.
During the lecture, Youngberg offered to share a part of the celebrations that occur during Purim.
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