Celebrating Purim Hindi Style

Two Purim celebrations took place in India this year, one at the Bayiti Old Age Home and the other at the JDC-sponsored Jewish Community Center. At Bayiti, 55 people attended the Purim party, including members of the day care program and their families, welfare recipients and elderly visitors from the cities of Thane and Kalwa. The evening started with a welcome speech by Elijah, JDC's country manager for India. Elijah spoke about the festival of Purim - its importance and relevance today. Mishloach Mannot, traditional gift baskets, were given to the elderly attending the party.

The party consisted of a musical program, with performances by 8 professional musical artists. They sang traditional old Hindi songs, which were much appreciated by the attendees, because most of the audience was above sixty years old and love the old songs. There was also a festive satirical play and singing and dancing led by two children who encouraged audience participation.

After the party a dinner of Puranpoli – a special Purim dish – was served.

There was also a family Purim party at the Jewish Community Center (JCC). 120 people attended the event, which involved a Purim puppet show (presented in Hindi), a costume contest, and arts and crafts – mask making, face painting, and henna painting. There was also a dart throwing competition won by a member of the Golden Age Group, a social group for elderly.

At the end of the evening, Mrs. Penkar, President of the Golden Age Group, thanked JDC for the hand painted Purim bags (filled with goodies) that many of the elderly received. The children were also given gift bags to bring home.

Please click here to see a slideshow of the Purim celebrations in India.