The joyous Jewish holiday of Purim, commemorating the downfall of anti-Jewish persecution in ancient Persia 2,500 years ago, will be ushered in at sundown tonight in all Jewish communities. The Book of Esther, which tells the story of the attempt at mass destruction of the Jews in ancient Persia, will be read tonight and tomorrow morning in synagogues and temples, in observance of the festival. As recorded in the Biblical narratives, the machinations of Haman, minister of the Persian emperor Ahasuerus, who plotted the wholesale massacre of the Jews, were foiled by the courage of Esther, the queen, and her kinsman, Mordecai.
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The Jewish Education Association has arranged a number of entertainments and dramatic performances based on the story of Esther to be given in hundreds of Jewish Sunday schools and Talmud Torahs.
Numerous Jewish organizations, including lodges of Masonic order, Odd Fellows, Brith Abraham, and others will celebrate Purim at regular or special meetings.
The 300 chapters of the Hadassah organization will commemorate the historic deed of Queen Esther—the Hadasah of the Bible—by special programs.
Appeals will be made in synagogues and Jewish centers for collections for the Jewish National Fund during the Purim festival.
A number of radio stations in the United States have arranged music programs for Purim. Dr. Cyrus Adler, president of the American Jewish Committee, will be the principal speaker on a program arranged for Tuesday over a National Broadcasting Company radio network.
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