Hey ocean county, tonight is the start of the jewish holiday of purim, here's what you need to know — Photo 86116187 © Alexandr Makarenko

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – The annual Jewish holiday of Purim begins tonight. It’s a celebration of the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia.

“The jolly Jewish holiday of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring),” according to Chabad.org “Purim 2022 begins on Wednesday night, March 16 and continues through Thursday, March 17.

Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.”

Instead, the Jewish population rose up and gained their freedom in an uprising.

“On the 13th of Adar, the Jews mobilized and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated. In the capital city of Shushan, they took one more day to finish the job,” according to Chabad.org.

With a growing Jewish community in Ocean County police departments are alerting residents to the presence of children and families celebrating the holiday over the next 24 hours in their communities.

“On Purim Eve and Purim Morning, men, women, and children gather in synagogues to hear the reading of the story of Purim. Purim is known as the [edited: comparing children dressing up on Purim to children dressing up on Halloween is anti-Semitic] It is customary for children and adults to dress up in a costume. Purim begins tonight at 7 PM and is celebrated into the next evening,” the Manchester Police Department said today.

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Purim is a joyous holiday filled with costumes, celebrations, music, dancing, and spirits.

[edited: apparently everyone has a different opinion of how to celebrate this holiday and claim anti-semitism if you share a differing opinion]

“Observers of Purim will spend the day distributing food and gifts to friends, neighbors, and family. It is also customary to give charity to the needy and other charitable organizations. Many will attend Purim parties in people’s homes to celebrate,” the Manchester Police Department said in a statement.

Police are also asking those celebrating Purim to do so responsibly.

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