Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) recently published a series of photos showing different Purim celebrations, beginning in the British Mandate era and extending to the early years of the State of Israel.
A few days before the Purim celebration, which will take place on March 23, KKL-JNF showed the public part of its photographic archive. The photos, dating from the 1920s to the 1950s, show that the tradition of dressing up dates back almost 100 years.
The Purim parade, originally called Adloyada, dates back to 1932. Among the photos you can also see Purim celebrations with festive Purim costumes outside Israel, for example in Germany or Egypt.
Efrat Sinai, Director of Archives at KKL-JNF, expressed how proud it was for them as an organization to “present a glimpse of the joy of the Purim holiday captured over the decades through the camera lenses of KKL-JNF photographers.” KKL-JNF and members of Jewish communities in the Diaspora. Although the photos were taken in black and white, you can immediately feel the festive atmosphere and the dedication in the preparation of the costumes, all handmade. It is always moving to remember how they celebrated this special holiday here and abroad back then, just like today!”