FEBRUARY 25 • 2021 | 45

Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

P

urim begins tonight, Thursday, 
Feb. 25, the 14th day of Adar. 
This is the really fun holiday that 
celebrates the survival of the Jews after 
Queen Esther and Mordechai thwart-
ed a plot by Haman, the royal vizier to 
the Persian King, to kill all the Jews in 
ancient Persia in the 4th century BCE. 
In short, Purim commemorates survival 
for Jews and a victory over 
prejudice and antisemitism. 
Celebrating Purim 
includes costumes, read-
ings of the Megillah, boo-
ing and hissing at Haman’s 
name and, of course, after 
fasting, munching some 
hamantashen and, perhaps, 
some kreplach. It also 
mandates acts of charity. It is a joyous 
holiday.
The William Davidson Digital Archive 
of Jewish Detroit History offers proof 
of Purim’s rank as a holiday with 7,464 
mentions. Every year, from 1916 to pres-
ent, the Chronicle and the JN have carried 
stories and announcements for Purim 
celebrations. Most of the reading is a lot 
of fun.
Not all the Purim reports are joyful. In 
the first mention of Purim in the March 
17, 1916, issue of the Jewish Chronicle, the
editorial “Purim 5675,” notes a paradox: 
the suffering of many Jews during WWI 
while American Jews enjoyed “a period 
of unprecedented prosperity and prog-
ress.” 
During World War II, in the March 
19, 1943, issue of the JN, read “The 
Inner Meaning of Purim” by Abraham 
Burstein, or the more sobering “Our Last 
Purim” by Judge Louis Levinthal, presi-
dent of the Zionists of America, speak-
ing about 10 years of Hitler in power in 
Germany as a contemporary Haman.
But, most of the Purim readings match 
the holiday’s spirit. On Feb., 27, 1953, 
the JN published the music and lyrics 

for “Purim Time is Fun.” Or see the Feb. 
24, 1956, issue that lists all the Purim 
celebrations across Detroit, from Temple 
Israel to Young Israel. 
Over the years, the JN has also pub-
lished what can be considered “Purim 
primers.” For example, see Elizabeth 
Applebaum’s “Happy Purim” summary 
of the holiday in the March 9, 2006, JN, 
or her “Happy Days are Here Again” 
(Feb. 26, 1999). There are also more 
practical articles such as “Making a 
Purim Costume Safe” (March 2, 1990).
Purim celebrations have changed with 
the impact of modern societal influences 
such as radio and television, or wars and 
economic strife and, most recently, the 
digital world. For example, see “Purim 
on the Internet” in the March 2, 2001, 
issue of the JN. This was a very prescient 
article.
The real fun reading begins when, 
after the 1980s, the JN began to print 
more photos as well as add more color 
to its pages. “Hooray for 
Purim” features photos 
of the children from 
Akiva Hebrew Day School 
(March 3, 1994) or see 
Noa and Eitan Pergament 
in their Purim costumes 
(Feb. 25, 2010). There are 
also great photos from cel-
ebrations at Beth Shalom 
(March 31, 2005), Shaarey 
Zedek (March 24, 2003) 
and Chabad’s Richardson 
Center (March 28, 2003). 
Perhaps the most colorful of 
all was Shaarey Zedek’s “Purim 
Extravaganza” announcement 
two years ago (Feb. 22, 2018). 
I think we all could use a bit of fun 
after a rough 2020. Happy Purim! 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN 
Foundation archives, available for free 
at www.djnfoundation.org.

Happy Purim!

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

more photos as well as add more color 

Akiva Hebrew Day School 

Noa and Eitan Pergament 

(Feb. 25, 2010). There are 
also great photos from cel-

(March 31, 2005), Shaarey 

Perhaps the most colorful of 
all was Shaarey Zedek’s “Purim 
Extravaganza” announcement 
two years ago (Feb. 22, 2018). 

