The Jewish holiday Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jews of the ancient Persian Empire from a plot by the king’s advisor, Haman, to exterminate them all on a single day. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of Persia from destruction. The holiday is also called the “Feast of Lots,” in reference to Haman’s plan to cast lots to determine the day he would carry out his scheme.

Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar in late winter or early spring. The main communal celebration is a public reading of the Book of Esther, accompanied by boos and noise-making when Haman's name is read. Other customs include exchanging gifts of food and drink, and giving gifts of charity to the poor. Over the centuries, Purim has become a joyous affirmation of Jewish survival in the face of anti-Semitism and oppression throughout history.

In 1962, Seattle's Herzl Conservative Congregation opened Purim festivities at the synagogue with a huge carnival attended by more that 300 youngsters. The children played games, ate sweets, watched movies, and listened to a fortune teller. Here, a blindfolded young boy takes his turn during a game of "Pin the Nose on Haman" at the carnival at Herzl synagogue.

Caption information source: “Children’s Carnival Informally Opens Jewish Purim Festival” by Jack Sullivan, Seattle Post-intelligencer, March 19, 1962, p. 13
Caption information source:"Purim" at the ReformedJudaism.org website, retrieved at https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/purim