About Purim

Our legendary annual Purimshpil, produced in collaboration with the Aftselakhis Spectacle Committee and Great Small Works, entertained, and inspired over a thousand people who sang and danced in celebration of Jews and our legacies of resistance to injustice. Scores of artists, activists and volunteers create and performed the shpil — building sets, sewing costumes, and writing scripts. In addition, we host family events — a children’s art party and parade, or a raucous, joy-filled Kids Defend NYC Children’s Purim Carnival.

EMERGENCY PURIM Pageant/Parade/Dance Party, 2022. Photo by Gili Getz.
Photo of Autumn Leonard holding a sign reading "give me hugs hugs hugs not guns guns guns"
The Kid's Purim Carnival of Resistance and Parade, 2018. Photo by Erik McGregor.
Photo of a the 2018 kids purim carnival march. A group of kids dressed up in costume holding a banner that reads "counselors not cops, glitter not guns"
The Kid's Purim Carnival of Resistance and Parade, 2018. Photo by Erik McGregor.