Chabad celebrates Purim, Italian-style

Purim, that commemorates a Jewish victory in ancient Persia over the wicked Haman, was celebrated with an Italian twist by the Chabad of Hewlett on the campus of Stella K. Abraham Girls High School in Hewlett Bay Park on March 12.

Pushed by Haman, King Ahasuerus issued a royal decree to annihilate the entire Jewish nation. Mordechai and Queen Esther, the heroes of the story, foiled the plot, and Haman and his sons were hanged.

The day before Purim includes fasting to mark Esther’s desperate plea to the king to save her nation. The Book of Esther, known as the Megillah, which contains the Purim story, is read during the holiday. Children dress in costume and it’s tradition to drown out the name of Haman every time its read.