Over 100 celebrate Purim at Temple Emanu-El

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Over 100 residents in Sarasota celebrated Purim at Temple Emanu-El Sunday morning.

Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian empire. Families gathered in honor of the holiday that is a testament of overcoming darkness and standing together.

But several Temple Emanu-El members found it hard to celebrate amid the raging war in the Middle East.

“Purim was not so obvious for me this year,” said Snait Ben-Herut, who was born in Israel and is a director of the Religious School at Temple Emanu-El. “For me as an Israeli it’s very difficult to celebrate such a joyful holiday with what happens in my country, what happens to my people, and also the people in Gaza that are suffering,” said Ben-Herut.

Other Temple Emanu-El members expressed why keeping the tradition alive is so important, especially now.

“There’s been a sharp rise in antisemitism and there’s been a sharp rise in anti-Jewish sentiment unfortunately,” said Laura Bishop, a teacher at Temple Emanu-El Religious School. “By celebrating who we are, by remembering our stories, by remembering our values, we’ll continue to survive even though the adversity against us,” said the teacher.

The Temple will also host several Passover events in April, for more information, click here.

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