Purim Partying goes Wild: JCC Tries Western Theme

MARGATE, NJ — What does the Wild Wild West have to do with the Book of Esther, which was set in Persia more than 2,000 years ago?

On the surface, nothing.

But as about 120 area Jews got together Sunday evening to celebrate the holiday of Purim, the Old West was the theme. So there were plenty of cowboys and cowgirls in attendance at the Jewish Community Center, and “wanted” posters were taped on the walls.

The holiday, one of the most festive on the Jewish calendar, celebrates the story told in the Book of Esther. According to the Biblical tale, one of the king’s ministers, Haman, made a plot to destroy the Jews. But the Jewish Queen Esther and her relative Mordecai disguised themselves, intervened and save their people – turning the fated day into a celebration.

Jews traditionally dress in costumes for Purim, said Josh Cutler, program director for the JCC, appropriately clad in jeans, chaps and a bandana. Congregations around the country are starting to have themes for their holiday celebrations, so the party sponsored by the JCC and the local Chabad House picked the Wild Wild West.

The dinner would be western themed as well, with chili and chicken wings to go along with the typical Jewish fare, Cutler said. Adults were also free to indulge in wine, beer and other spirits.

“It’s a tradition to have a couple extra glasses of wine to get in the spirit of Purim,” Cutler said.

Nechama Rapoport, 13, of Atlantic City, wore a red satin gown that she found in an old suitcase. She said she was looking forward to the magic show. Her brother Mendy, 7, was dressed as a clown.

Sister Rivka, 9, wore a purple satin dress trimmed with lace.

“I found this wig in a store, so I decided to be a prairie girl,” Rivka Rapoport said.

Her friend, Shira Abrams, 9, of Margate, wore a long denim skirt, boots, a hat and a bandana. She said she was happy to be spending time with Rivka.

Before the festivities got underway, there was a ritual reading of the Book of Esther from a handwritten scroll called the Megilla. Those who participated twirled noisemakers every time the villain Haman’s name was mentioned.

Milo Turk, of Absecon, and his father, Edward Turk of Atlantic City, got into the noisemaking ritual.

Edward Turk dressed as a sheriff, with a giant badge. Milo Turk came as his character “Desperado D,” a combination cowboy-rapper outfit of western wear with a large dollar-sign necklace.

The JCC and the ultra-Orthodox Chabad House have sponsored the annual Purim party for 25 years, said Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, older brother to the other costumed characters, also attired in a cowboy outfit.

“It’s a joyful day, so we’ll have music and good food,” said Rapoport, who is the spiritual leader of the Chabad Ventnor Shul. It will “allow the children to have good feelings about the holiday.”