Purim is a festival when Jews remember Esther, who was the Queen of Persia more than 2,000 years ago. She was Jewish but her husband, the King, didn't know this. The King's chief minister was Haman, a man who hated the Jews.

French Jews will celebrate the festivities of Purim. Fasting, prayers, readings, meals, and costumes—these two days allow practitioners to commemorate a special time in the Jewish calendar.

Hebrew scholar and Jewish academic Irene Lancaster reflects on Purim and Jewish-Christian dialogue. Purim starts tonight and in Israel lasts till Monday. Based on the Book of Esther which we read tonight and tomorrow in Shul, we remind ourselves of G-d’s continued presence through the actions of human beings, even when His name isn’t mentioned.