Hundreds of families in the community dressed in their favorite Purim costumes and gathered at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly to celebrate the holiday in style at the Rubach Family Purim Carnival last Saturday.

The carnival featured featured life-size cartoon characters, train rides, moon bounce, games, prizes, food and more!

Purim is celebrated annually to commemorate the deliverance of the Jewish people from being the victims of an evil decree against them. According to the Book of Esther, Haman, a royal adviser to King Ahasuerus, planned to kill the Jews, but his plans were foiled by Esther and the Jewish people were able to destroy their enemies, win their freedom and return to Jerusalem.  Designated as a day of feasting and rejoicing, people honor the holiday by dressing in costumes and masks, giving to charity, and socializing in a spirit of public celebration.