Israel Scouts celebrated last week the Jewish festival of Purim, commemorating the saving of the Jewish people of Persia from the Book of Esther's antagonist Haman.
Purim is celebrated on the 14th and 15th of the Jewish month of Adar, usually coinciding with March.
According to the Book of Esther, King Achashverosh of Persia's royal vizier, Haman, planned to kill all the Jews in the empire but his evil plans were thwarted by Mordechai and his cousin Esther, who had become Queen of Persia.
Purim is widely celebrated in Israel and the Jewish world by children and adults alike, both by religious Jews and secular ones too.
The main Purim celebrations involve dressing in costumes, street parties, eating a sweet triangular pastry called Hamantaschen and carnivals or parades. There is actually a religious obligation to drink on Purim!
No matter where you find yourself in Israel on Purim, from the south to the north, you can't miss the celebrations.
And, of course, Israel Scouts play a major role in the country's crazy Purim festivities as it hosts its famous Purimon celebrations.Recognizing the importance of interacting with the wider community, Scout groups opened their doors to the public, following months of planning and teamwork, who could enjoy their incredibly constructed Israel Scouts amusement parks. A variety of theme park-style rides, water slides, climbing activities, physical challenges, stalls and experiences all designed and constructed by our participants were on offer to the many thousands of children and members of the public who attended the events.
One group was even featured on national television for its efforts to make the activities accessible for participants with disabilities and special needs!
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and the conclusion of the Purim weekend meant the end of this year's Purimon celebrations and activities.
But we have no doubt that the festive celebrations left a lasting impression on both our participants and the wider public.
Next year, Purim takes place on March 20/21. Our advice? Save the date in your journals now and celebrate with the Israel Scouts.
