Purim Partying: Purim on the Rocks

It’s here! Another holiday where us Jews celebrate near-annihilation! Just a fast recap: Purim is the holiday where the Jewish people celebrate deliverance from the destructive plot of Haman, an official of the Persian Empire, as told in the scroll of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. To commemorate this day, it is tradition to exchange gifts of food and drink, give charity to the needy, have a feast, drink wine (yes you have to), and wear masks or costumes. For a full account of Purim and the book of Esther, I suggest Wikipedia. Or if you want, pop a squat and let me regale you with tales of the Hebrew Bible.
Anyways… there is an event being held by the Jewish community in Rome, and a whole weekend of events being held by the European Center for Jewish Students, or ECJS.

Today, Wednesday the 7th, is also the Fast of Esther (I know, not very celebratory). AFTER you have your fast-breaking meal at sunset, head over to Aranciera di San Sisto for the Purim in Maskera party. The party is for anyone 15 and over. And don’t forget your costume!
Where: Piazza Di Porta Metronia, 1
Cost: €25 (would be less if you reserved earlier, sorry about that, my bad!) – Sweets provided!
When: 9:30 PM- 12:30 AM
For more info, check out the Facebook invite, in Italian.

Purim on the Rocks: March 8-11. Thursday the 8th, apart from being International Women’s Day, is also Purim (technically the holiday starts at sundown tonight, according to Jewish tradition).
Anyways… the ECJS has a whole feast party weekend planned in Rome, in honor of Purim. That means that Jews from all over Europe were invited to Rome to celebrate together. There is a long list of events, Sabbath activities and their prices, so check it out on Facebook, or at the event’s page.
Specifically, at 4:30 PM on Thursday, tomorrow, there is a feast at the Crown Plaza Rome Hotel on Via Aurelia Antica, 415, going until 7:30 PM.
Then, Thursday night there is a party at Rome’s club, Room26, at Piazza G.Marconi, 31.

ECJS and their Purim on the Rocks weekend extravaganza, also offer Friday night and Saturday meals/services. In addition to that, they also have a party planned for Saturday night at Vogue Roma, at Piazzale dello Stadio Olimpico, 5. Like I said, there are a bunch of events, and depending on which events you want to attend, the prices vary, so read the Facebook invite carefully!

And just remember, as Esther 9:28 says, ‘These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.’ BOOM.