Happy Purim

Nothing trumps a Riverdale party

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Skeletons, a boat captain, one cowgirl, a group of minions from the movie of the same name and even a little Bernie Sanders. This festive crowd of students, parents and teachers gathered at the Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy (SAR) on March 24 to celebrate Purim.

The holiday takes place on the 14th day of Adar, the 12th month of the Jewish year, and commemorates how Jewish people living in ancient Persia were saved from extermination.

“Purim is a day of happiness and celebration,” a seventh-grade student who goes by the nickname Tani remarked.

Costumes, treats and fun abounded, but Rabbi Benjamin Krauss, the principal of SAR Academy, noted it was also an educational opportunity. Forty students volunteered to read the Megillah, or the biblical book of Esther, in Hebrew.

Tani had read from the Torah before, but never from the Megillah.

“This is the biggest crowd I’ve ever read in front of,” he said, “but I was less nervous because I’ve had some experience before.”

The student was told before winter break that he would perform on Purim. He said he had been training once or twice a week for the past three weeks.

Meanwhile, festivities were happening all over the school. Girls and women read in one room, men in another and young children sang and danced to Purim songs like “How Many Mitzvot” in a room behind the cafeteria.

“Most schools wouldn’t have school today because it’s a holiday, but we want to educate the students through this holiday. It’s a big community event here now. Some even choose to celebrate at the school instead of at their synagogues,” Rabbi Krauss said.

As principal, he also had to pick a costume. This year he chose to dress up as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“Every year we try to be provocative and funny,” he said. 

He sported one sticker saying “Make SAR great” on the right side of his shirt and another with the words “We need walls” on the left. 

Rabbi Krauss explained the joke, saying his institution strives to be inclusive, “a school without walls.”

The wacky costumes were part of a tradition celebrating how the seeming fate of Jewish people was reversed when the Persian king Haman threatened to kill all of them.  

Another tradition is a celebratory feast. At the SAR Academy, there were traditional pastries like chocolate-filled hamantaschen.

Ninth grader Olivia summed the day up, saying, “This holiday is all about sharing and having fun.”

SAR Academy’s celebrations came days after more than 30 people were killed in terrorist attacks in the capital of Belgium. 

The memory was fresh for students at the school, which participated in a prayer for the victims and others.

“We hope that good will triumph over evil,” Rabbi Krauss said.

SAR Academy, Purim, Rabbi Benjamin Krauss, Alice Guilhamon

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