Purim

'Where Traditions Meet': The inside story of Israeli baseball's rise from nonexistent to Olympics

Peter Kurz recounts the improbable journey of Israel’s baseball team to the Tokyo Olympics, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, challenges, and personal triumphs.

Peter Kurz wears his Israel baseball shirt with pride.
A view shows a town nestled in a valley seen near Jerusalem in April in 2026.

What's Israel’s role in Judaism? Zionists' duty is to know - opinion

On Wednesday night, we will talk about freedom, with the specter of ballistic missiles, safe rooms, and red-alert sirens still fresh in our minds.

Freedom under fire: What Passover means in a time of war - comment

Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in the ultra-orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem on March 4, 2026.

Jewish tradition is a polemic against loneliness, on Passover and the rest of the year


Indulgences and temptations for Purim: The tasty news of Israel

The surprise box of Cremugit and Petit Beurre is aimed at Purim, and long after.

Purim editions, Cremugit and Petit Beurre

Hamantaschen from Israel, graggers, and fuel: Purim aid drive spans Ukraine

JRNU and local emissaries said preparations had been completed for distributing 24,000 Purim packages across 25 major cities and regions, alongside deliveries to smaller and more remote towns.

 Ukrainian Jewish children holding packages they received JNRU for Purim.

A perfect ball has landed in Israel, just in time for Purim mischief

Adloyada, and a little more: Israel’s tasty news.

Mozart Chocolate-Coconut Liqueur

This month in Jewish history: The first permanent government of Israel

A highly abridged monthly version of Dust & Stars – Today in Jewish History.

DIZENGOFF SQUARE, named for the Tel Aviv founding father.

2,500 years in the making: Are the Jews once again turning the tables on Iran?

On the 23rd day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, Queen Esther is said to have allowed the Jews of Persia to fight back against extinction. Has Israel done the same today with Iran?

 An AI-generated illustrative image of US President Donald Trump being handed a parchment from the biblical Queen Esther as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hovering in the background.

Purim-Passover connection: Uniting the Jews, then building a nation - opinion

Step one – as epitomized by Purim – is the struggle to bring the Jews together, to unite as a loving community, albeit in a foreign land. Step two – Passover – is the forming of our own nation.

 Departure of the Israelites 'Departure of the Israelites' by David Roberts, 1829.

Purim celebrations: Deliverance, customs, and controversies - opinion

In addition to the core activities of reading the Megillah, sending gifts (mishloach manot), and donating three half shekels to charity, Purim is a time of carnivals and masquerades.

 The reading of the ‘Megillah.’

Purim's unacceptable mask: The powerful themes of revenge, evil, and free will

In the Scroll of Esther, revenge is a powerful theme, but just as clearly one that leads to confusion and tragedy.

 Esther and Mordechai writing the second letter of Purim, painted by Arent de Gelder.

How beautiful are illuminated ‘Megillot Esther’

Medieval megillot were beautifully illuminated. Why? Because God’s name is not mentioned.

 Illustrated Esther scroll (Ferrara, Italy, 1616)

Misplaced guilt and right to defend: Lessons from Esther and October 7 - opinion

We make no apology for defending our home, our families, our country, and our race.

 AN ULTRA-ORTHODOX man dances on the street, marking Purim, the celebration of the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood, on March 16.