The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. Other customs include sending food parcels and giving charity, dressing up in masks and costumes, eating a festive meal and public celebration.
Below is a gallery of this year’s celebrations in Israel covered by Associated Press photographers Oded Balilty and Ariel Schalit.
A woman smokes a cigarette while wearing a costume during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
A family sits on the beach of the Mediterranean sea during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
An Israeli spectator watches a giant T-Rex balloon during the Purim parade festival in Petah Tikva, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
A horse shaped balloon flies in the air during the festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Israeli girls prepare for the Purim parade festival in Petah Tikva, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israeli spectators watch a giant balloon during the Purim parade festival in Petah Tikva, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
A Jewish Orthodox man from the Tzanz Hasidic dynasty community rests on a bench after over-indulging during celebrations of the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Jewish ultra-Orthodox men wear costumes during celebrations of the Jewish festival of Purim in Bnei Brak, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
A girl walks to a synagogue of the Tzanz Hasidic dynasty community to read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Netanya, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Jewish Orthodox men and children of the Tzanz Hasidic dynasty community read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Netanya, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
A performer poses during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Foreign migrant workers’ children watch an acrobat perform during the Purim festival in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther, which is read in synagogues. Other customs include: sending food parcels and giving charity; dressing up in masks and costumes; eating a festive meal; and public celebrations. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
An acrobat jumps from the top of a school building during a performance for foreign migrant workers’ children to celebrate the Purim festival in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther, which is read in synagogues. Other customs include: sending food parcels and giving charity; dressing up in masks and costumes; eating a festive meal; and public celebrations. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
People wearing zombie make-up and outfits walk in the 2016 Zombie Walk Day Edition in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, March 25, 2016.The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther which is read in synagogues. Other customs include sending food parcels and giving charity, dressing up in masks and costumes, eating a festive meal and public celebration. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
An acrobat performs for foreign migrant workers children to celebrate the Purim festival in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther, which is read in synagogues. Other customs include: sending food parcels and giving charity; dressing up in masks and costumes; eating a festive meal; and public celebrations. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
A Russian dancer performs during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
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