Cultural Backgrounds Field Study

Purim

Last Monday evening, I participated in a Purim celebration at a local synagogue. It is similar to Halloween in the U.S. but with religious implications. People dress up in ludicrous costumes, engage in alcoholic festivities, and listen intently as the scroll of Esther is read. Haman, a descendant of the Amalekites, attempts to commit genocide against the Jews living in Persia. Everyone jeers when Haman's name is mentioned when reading the scroll. Click the link below to discover a brief summation of Purim and check out the video. 

http://www.rabbisacks.org/live-past-without-held-captive/

Jerusalem Wedding

Here is some footage of a wedding I attended that overlooked the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Laden with imagery and tradition it was by far the best wedding ceremony I have attended.