!PURIM! This year it falls on March 7. This Jewish holiday commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an official of the Achaemenid Empire who was planning to have all of Persia's Jewish subjects killed. As macabre as this sound, the ways it is celebrated today, is actually very joyful and is a lot of fun for the whole family. Some of the Purim traditions include fasting the day before, and reading Megilat Esther, the book of Esther, during the synagogue’s daily service. Families share a holiday meal together, and a lot of communities hold parties. Purim is often compared to Halloween, as kids and adults alike are encouraged to dress-up in costumes, and sweets and treats are exchanged as gifts. In preparation for Purim this year, I am offering costume-making workshops for the little ones at my studio all of the month of February. I also have been working on some fun new costume designs available to order just in time to join the festivities 😊 Here are some of the costumes that I recently completed: