Major rabbinical organizations issued Purim statements today stressing the theme of the victory of freedom over tyranny marking the festival of Purim which began at sundown this evening. The holiday commemorates the downfall of Haman, the ancient Persian Minister who sought to wipe out the Jewish population.
Religious Jews in cities throughout the country ushered in the festival with special services in synagogues featuring the traditional reading of the Book of Esther amid the din of children’s noisemakers. Nearly all Hebrew day schools and synagogue religious schools scheduled special programs featuring costume plays and parties in line with the joyous spirit of the occasion.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.