Seniors in Moscow Celebrate Purim 

Celebrating Jewish resilience and continuity 

• March 12, 2026
• - 23 Adar 5786

Chamah in Moscow marked Purim day with a festive celebration for local seniors, bringing them the joy of the holiday. 

The program began with the reading of the Megilat Esther, the Book of Esther, which tells the story of Purim and the deliverance of the Jewish people from danger in ancient Persia. Guests then enjoyed a festive meal in keeping with the spirit of the holiday.

The celebration continued with entertainment from the Senior Citizens Choir, who performed selected compositions in honor of Purim. A theatrical puppetry presentation added a lively touch to the program, bringing smiles and energy to the room. And to end the day, attendees received Purim gift bags.

Purim is a joyful holiday that celebrates Jewish survival, courage, and unity. It is observed with the reading of the Megillah, festive meals, gifts, and acts of generosity, all of which help make the day especially meaningful.

It is very interesting to note that just days before the Purim holiday this year, we witnessed the start of major developments in Iran, with the elimination of the Ayatollah and senior figures in the Iranian leadership who were great enemies of Israel and the United States. This takes on an uncanny resemblance with the Purim narrative. Iran is the same land that was ancient Persia, and the site of the biblical city of Shushan (Susa), where the Jewish people lived more than 2,500 years ago under Persian rule at the time of the Purim narrative.

The story of Purim — recorded in the Book of Esther — recounts how Haman, the advisor to King Ahasuerus (commonly identified with Xerxes I), secured a decree calling for the annihilation of the Jews, only for that decree to be overturned and Haman executed, in what the Megillah calls “V’nahafoch Hu” — a complete reversal from despair to deliverance.

May we soon see lasting peace for all of Israel, and indeed for the entire world. ■