Thousands celebrate Purim at the Western Wall. Jerusalem, Israel. 21/03/2011. Under heightened police security thousands celebrated Purim at the Western Wall today, commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megilat Esther). Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem this year on a Monday (celebrated in other cities around the world, besides Jerusalem, yesterday), which is a day also attracting Bar-Mitzvah celebrations. Therefore the Kotel, the Western Wall, was crowded with believers and tourists enjoying a double celebration.

While most women at the Kotel are distanced into the women's section, behind a barrier, and reduced to throwing sweets at their sons in the men's section, or quietly reading Megilat Esther to themselves, Women of The Wall held a colorful and vocal Megilah reading, dressed up in costumes as customary on Purim.

Anat HoffmanCelebrationCeremonyEstherIsraelIsrael Religious Action CenterJerusalemJewJewishJudaismKotelMegilat EstherMiddle EastMiddleEastNashot HaKotelNir alonProgressive JudaismRosh ChodeshScroll of EstherShevatTefillinWailing WallWestern WallWomen of the Wallbarmitzvahbeliefcelebrationsfaithholidayholyphylacteriespluralismprayprayerprayer shawlprayingpurimreligionreligioussocietytalittorahwall20110321G10015294KotelPurim