At Synagogues across the Milwaukee area, you'll find hundreds of people dressed up in all sorts of costumes. Jews across the globe are celebrating Purim.

Get your party on; Purim is almost here! The holiday is one of the most joyous and fun on the Jewish calendar, complete with everything from feasts to costumes to wine, all in honor of Queen Esther and her loyal cousin Mordecai rescuing the Jews from slaughter in the Persian Empire.

Often affectionately referred to as "Jewish Mardi Gras," Purim is more than just a festive occasion filled with costumes, laughter, and delicious pastries. It carries profound lessons about resilience,

Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that celebrates the survival of the Jewish people in ancient Persia, as told in the biblical Book of Esther. It falls on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar, which in 2025 corresponds to the evening of March 13 through the evening of March 14 (the date changes every year against the Gregorian calendar).