Bay Ridge Jewish Center celebrates Purim
Saturday evening, March 11, the Bay Ridge Jewish Center (BRJC) hosted a celebration for the Jewish holiday of Purim in its newly renovated ballroom.
Purim is a holiday that is celebrated by members of the Jewish community to commemorate the story told in the Book of Esther, in which Queen Esther and her Uncle Mordecai saved the Jewish people from annihilation in ancient Persia. As recorded in the Book of Esther, the King of Persia was in love with Esther, but did not know she was Jewish, and made her queen. Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, the king’s advisor. This caused Haman to plot to kill all of the Jews. Esther, after being persuaded by Mordecai, intercedes on behalf of the Jewish people, and convinces the King to stop Haman – saving the Jewish people.
Rabbi Dina Rosenberg from the Bay Ridge Jewish Center sees the lessons found in the Book of Esther as increasingly relevant in the midst of the turmoil our world faces today. “We must speak out against hate, anti-Semitism and support the minorities within our communities,” she said.