Hackney’s Hasidic Jews Celebrate Purim

The streets were alive with Purim celebration. Photo: Alan Denney. click to enlarge

The boroughs Hasidic Jewish community are not always known for their colourful Joyous public displays, nor loud Yiddish music.  Which is what made yesterdays celebration in Stamford Hill and Stoke Newington that more special and interesting to view.

Both children and adults danced to music ‘pumped’ out of the back of trucks as they collected for charity.

The festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.”

Another aspect to the celebration is giving to those in need.  You are required to give charity to at least two needy people during the daylight hours of the holiday of Purim.

There is a special law pertaining to Purim and charity. All year round if one is approached by a person seeking financial assistance it’s within your scope to ensure that the individual is indeed needy.  On Purim however, “whoever stretches out a hand is given [charity]“. It’s also a time to give to charity organizations.

Children in colourful costume’s could be seen with their mothers,  going door to door collecting for those in need.

Purim started at sundown Saturday 19 March and ended Sundown Sunday 20 March.

All above photos © Alan Denney

Photo: @francescopighi on Twitter. click to enlarge