Purim is major event throughout Poland. Many marginal Jews bring their whole families to the synagogue for the festive reading of the Megillah. For the established religious community it is an opportunity for outreach.
In Warsaw everybody gets into the act from Rabbi Michael Schudrich to the youngsters.
Before any religious event Rabbi Schudrich, Chief Rabbi Of Poland, explains to those present the significance of the event, the proper practice, as well as any possible link to Polish Jewish history. In the case of Purim there is a parallel between Haman y”s and Hitler y”s.
In a playful Purim atmosphere Rabbi Schudrich was carried into shul before the reading of Megillat Esther.
While reading the Megillah was done in full costume it was still read with reverence.
“Enough said!”
(All photographs courtesy of Adam Tuchlinski.)
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