Jews Celebrate Purim, the Festival of Survival

Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar every year by the Jewish community all over the world. It tells the story of how Jews survived a plot by the anti-semitic Haman, the prime minister of ancient Persia, present-day Iran, to kill them. Purim is the remembrance of the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” according to the Chabad.org.

Jews mobilised and killed several of their enemies on the 13th day of Adar and they rested and celebrated on the 14th day. Purim falls on 8 March, 2012.

Israeli youths take part in an annual Zombie Walk procession ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in Tel Aviv March 6, 2012. (Reuters)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim at a synagogue in Bnei Brak March 7, 2012. (Reuters)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim at a synagogue in Bnei Brak March 7, 2012. (Reuters)

An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy, dressed in a special costume for Purim, and other adults read Book of Esther during celebration for the Jewish holiday of Purim at a synagogue in Bnei Brak March 7, 2012. (Reuters)

Israeli youths dressed as zombies take part in an annual Zombie Walk procession ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in Tel Aviv March 6, 2012. (Reuters)

An Israeli youth dressed as a zombie takes part in an annual Zombie Walk procession ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in Tel Aviv March 6, 2012. (Reuters)

Israeli youths dressed as zombies take part in an annual Zombie Walk procession ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in Tel Aviv March 6, 2012. (Reuters)

Employees work at a sculpture and display factory which is also manufacturing floats for a parade celebrating the upcoming Jewish holiday of Purim, near Tel Aviv February 27, 2012. (Reuters)