{"id":3612,"date":"2019-03-19T15:53:36","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T12:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.danhotels.com\/Blog\/?p=3612"},"modified":"2025-07-27T13:37:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T10:37:14","slug":"purim-2019-in-israel-but-whats-it-all-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.danhotels.com\/Blog\/?p=3612","title":{"rendered":"Purim 2019 in Israel – but what\u2019s it all about?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I must have been easily impressed with my dad\u2019s costume-making skills when it came to Purim. Using a pair of scissors, he turned a large cardboard box from the supermarket and glued on red paper to turn this six year-old into Mr. Strong, a famous children\u2019s character from TV in the UK. Today, in Israel, however, the Purim costumes have absolutely exploded in sheer ingenuity to match the color of the Rio Carnival or Mardi Gras in New Orleans.<\/p>\n

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On Purim, many people swap ‘Mishloach Manot’ & tasty treats, as part of the holiday spirit<\/p><\/div>\n

From Superman to the Smurfs, Cowboys to American Indians, revellers go even wilder from day to nightfall, choosing the weirdest, craziest and most innovative costumes, decorated in spray paint, to party well into the night. But why exactly?<\/p>\n

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A glimpse at the costume parade from previous years<\/p><\/div>\n

The joyful festival of Purim traces its origins over 2,300 years ago and actually celebrates the survival of the Jewish people after Haman, the Prime Minister of the then Persian King, Ahasuerus, conspired to destroy them. He had the Jewish people draw lots, or purim <\/em>in Hebrew, to decide the date of their own destruction, and yet, in a story filled with heroes, such as Mordechai, and heroines, like Queen Esther, the plot was discovered, Haman was hanged, and the genocide was averted.<\/p>\n

The costumes that eventually came to embody the holiday reflect a more recent development. One theory dates the custom to 20th<\/sup> century Vienna, where local Jewish artists on Purim eve started throwing masquerade balls, similar to their Christian neighbors, and it was from here that the custom spread. So today, inevitably, streets, parks and squares up and down the country burst into life to rejoice, with many people swapping mishloach manot<\/em>, or gifts of food and wine, and tasting treats, such as hamenstaschen \u2013 <\/em>small triangular pastries, believed to symbolize Haman\u2019s ears, and made with different fillings, including poppy seed, jam, cherry, as well as innovative recipes, such as chocolate-dipped cream cheese<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Hamantaschen\u00a0made with different fillings<\/p><\/div>\n

Parades and street parties are everywhere. The city of Holon, south of Tel Aviv, hosts the biggest parade \u2013 with brass bands, acrobats, jugglers, dancers performing. The Tel Aviv\u00a0Purim\u00a0Street Party <\/strong>is a lively, and free, daytime outdoor rave on 20th<\/sup> March in north Tel Aviv\u2019s Kikar HaMedina. Bask in the sunshine, enjoy a beer and some food and watch as families with babies mingle with teenagers dressed as unicorns, angels and Wonder Woman. Later that evening, head down to the Tel Aviv\u00a0Purim\u00a0Zombie Walk<\/strong>, close to the Dizengoff Center, and explore your inner zombie and walk through the streets, reminiscent of scenes from various popular horror movies.<\/em> Enjoy the frivolity and madness at the Alice in Wonderland Purim Feast<\/strong> at 99 Allenby bar, all a hop, skip and a terrifying leap from the luxurious Dan Tel Aviv<\/a><\/strong>. If you want a more civilized celebration, head to the Fortiswood Purim Party<\/strong> at South Tel Aviv\u2019s Barby venue, where the more glamorous theme consists of tuxedos and evening gowns, close to the equally stylish Dan Panorama Tel Aviv<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Click Here for Tel Aviv Hotel\u00a0Deals >><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Purim Street Party at Kikar Ha’medina in Tel Aviv. Credit: Ofer Keidar\u00a0photography<\/p><\/div>\n

Over in Jerusalem, the main event takes place in Safra Square<\/strong>, within reach of the four Dan Hotels in Jerusalem<\/a>. Here, circus acts and costume competitions, live entertainment and arts and crafts workshops will keep the crowds delighted, while the traditional Nachlaot Street Party <\/strong>is a joyful experience in this quirky neighborhood, west of the Downtown Triangle, and the Paleo market returns to the First Station<\/strong> in Jerusalem for a festive Purim feast.<\/p>\n

Many of the city\u2019s museums also get in on the act, offering family-friendly events. Interactive tours and an amazing Purim treasure hunt takes place at the Bible Lands Museum<\/strong>, where you can join the good fairy, who will take you on a journey into Ancient Persia, through the story of Queen Esther, and her invitation to the royal ball. There is also an impressive hide-and-seek game at the Tower of David Museum<\/strong>, where you can accompany the court jester in the search for Jerusalem\u2019s King in an elaborate game in the ancient Citadel, while at the Israel Museum<\/strong>, there are a range of activities including performances from a host of young musicians and creative workshops where you can create your own emoji mask.<\/p>\n

Click Here\u00a0for Jerusalem Hotel Deals\u00a0>><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Purim is celebrated at Dan Hotels:\u00a0 Hamantaschen made at the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel.\u00a0 Credit: Confectioner Liora\u00a0Osher Ben Ezra<\/p><\/div>\n

If my own Mr. Strong mask leaves you unimpressed. Purim in Israel certainly won\u2019t.
\nPurim starts on Wednesday 20th March and finishes in the evening of Thursday 21st March, in most cities. In \u201cwalled\u201d cities, like Jerusalem, Purim starts a day later than everyone else so this year will be on Thursday 21st<\/sup> \u2013 Friday 22nd<\/sup> March.<\/p>\n

Have fun!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I must have been easily impressed with my dad\u2019s costume-making skills when it came to Purim. Using a pair of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":3621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,14,1,38,21,40],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPurim 2019 in Israel - What is Purim? | Dan Hotels Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Purim in Israel - People in costumes, partying into the night, while parades and street parties are everywhere. But why? 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