International Club: Purim costume party on Friday

Home Campus International Club: Purim costume party on Friday
International Club: Purim costume party on Friday

Hillsdale College’s International Club invites campus to a costume celebration of Purim on Friday at 7 p.m. in Mauck Residence.

Purim, a lesser Jewish holiday, commemorates the defeat of Haman’s plot to kill the Jews, according to the Book of Esther. Freshman Shavit Rootman, who was born and raised in Israel and celebrates the holiday every year at home, suggested the club hold a Purim celebration.

The club encourages students to dress in costumes as is custom in Israel. The biblical story tells of several uses of hidden identities: Esther wore a disguise in her palace; Mordecai hid his identity, when he came to the town of Shushan; and God sent his angels in disguise.

The club’s faculty advisers, Professor of French Sherri Rose and Professor of Spanish Carmen Wyatt-Hayes, will judge a costume contest from 7-8 p.m. The winner gets a $25 Amazon gift card.

“Dig deep into your closets, and see if you can come up with something creative, mysterious, or humorous,” Rose said.

International Club President junior Ema Karakoleva said she hopes the event will expose students to a new aspect of another culture.

“You may not be familiar with the annual Purim street party in Tel Aviv,” Rose said. “This is a fun opportunity to participate in one of the most spirited holidays in the Jewish tradition.”