Purim: A Celebration of Stories and Connection

On Thursday 5 March, De Joodse Stad is bringing a special tradition back to the heart of Amsterdam: Purim. This event is organised in collaboration with the Faculty’s Diversity Office and the Faculty of Humanities, aiming to create space for diverse cultural narratives within our academic community.

The Queen’s Tale

Purim, the Jewish Festival of Lots, commemorates how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from destruction in 5th-century BCE Persia. It is a unique celebration within the tradition, centered around the courage of a woman as the story's heroine.

Today, Purim is a joyful festival of "reversals." Often compared to carnival, it is a time to play with hidden identities, loudly drown out the name of the story’s villain (Haman) with noisemakers, and share food and drink. By celebrating this on 5 March, De Joodse Stad and VOX-POP bring a piece of pre-war Amsterdam’s vibrant social life back to the city center.

Programme

Students and staff are warmly invited to join us for:

• 16.30 - 16.45 Welcome and introduction on Purim by Julia van der Krieke
• 16.45 - 17.30 "Non-dogmatic rabbi" Naftalie Hershler shares the story of Esther
• 17.30 - 19.30 Creative activities, drinks and snacks:
  - Create your own mask
  - Perform a Mitzvah (good deed) by collecting essential items and make a gift for De Regenbooggroep.

What can you donate? We are collecting water bottles, sunglasses, caps, warm men’s clothing (such as coats), shoes, sleeping bags, working phones or laptops, and bicycles or bike parts.

Practical matters

Admission is free. To help us prepare the catering, please register in advance.
Snacks are kosher style.