To Purim!

by Robin Charin | Jan 13, 2025 | Fun Facts! | 0 comments

Purim is a festive. joyous Jewish holiday commemorating the Jewish people’s triumph over the sinister plot of Haman, an advisor to the Persian King Xerxes. The story unfolds in the biblical Book of Esther, where Queen Esther, a Jewish woman, courageously reveals her identity and foils Haman’s plan to annihilate the Jewish community. The holiday gets its name from the word “pur,” meaning “lot,” as Haman cast lots to determine the date for the mass extermination of Jews. Through the bravery of Esther, however, and divine intervention by the Jewish people, the sinister plot was reversed, and the day transformed into a celebration of victory, survival, and unity.

Purim is a time of joy, feasting, and charitable acts. One of Purim’s central traditions is the reading of the Megillah, the Book of Esther, in synagogue, where attendees boo, hiss, and use noisemakers called “graggers” to drown out Haman’s name whenever it is mentioned. The festive atmosphere extends to colorful costumes, delicious pastries known as hamantaschen, and the exchange of gifts and charity to strengthen communal bonds. Purim stands as a historical testament to resilience and a jubilant reminder of the power of courage, faith, and community in overcoming adversity.

St. Patrick’s Day

by Robin Charin | Jan 12, 2025 | Fun Facts! | 0 comments

Celebrated Phenomenon

St. Patrick’s Day has become a vibrant and widely celebrated cultural phenomenon in the United States. Irish immigrants brought the tradition across the Atlantic, and the day has become a festive occasion marked by parades, green attire, and fun gatherings. In the U.S., cities with significant Irish communities, such as Boston, New York, and Chicago, host elaborate parades featuring marching bands, bagpipers, and displays of Irish pride. The iconic tradition of dyeing rivers and fountains green, as seen in Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River, is a uniquely American spectacle that adds a touch of whimsy to the celebration, as does green beer. St. Patrick’s Day was historically a religious occasion, and the festive atmosphere seen in the U.S. emerged only in recent decades.

Originally a religious feast day honoring Ireland’s patron saint, while St. Patrick’s Day in the United States is a boisterous and inclusive celebration, observance of St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland carries a more reserved and traditional tone. The day is marked with religious services, cultural events, and family gatherings. While some Irish cities host parades, they tend to be smaller and more community-focused than the grand spectacles in American cities. Ireland often emphasizes preserving the religious and cultural aspects of the day, a more intimate and reflective celebration compared to the exuberant festivities in the United States.

Even Corgis enjoy St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities ☘️