Chag Purim – Happy Purim 5773

A scene from "The Lunchbreak" featuring Rabbi Ethan Linden, left, and Rabbi Uri Topolosky.

The festival of Purim began at sundown Saturday night with major celebrations held in Metairie and New Orleans. A joint Purim celebration between Conservative Congregation Shir Chadash and Orthodox Congregation Beth Israel was held at Shir Chadash, the second such occurrence in as many years.

Shir Chadash Rabbi Ethan Linden and Beth Israel Rabbi Uri Topolosky also premiered a new video Saturday night at the gathering of the two synagogues just prior to the reading of the Megillah Esther. The humorous video featured the two rabbis taking in the sights of the Audubon Institute’s Insectarium as well as feasting on kosher beignets at Café du Monde. The piece was supposed to have taken place during their time off for lunch, hence the title “The Lunchbreak.”

To see the entire video, click here.

A gallery of photos from the night of joint celebration follows.

Today is considered Shushan Purim, the date marked on the Jewish calendar to celebrate the holiday in traditional walled cities.