NYC Gazette

Columbia University and Barnard Hillel, along with Chabad at Columbia University, came together to host a series of events over the weekend to mark the celebration of Purim, a Jewish holiday. The events were aimed at bringing the community together in joy and festivity.

The celebrations kicked off on March 20 when Hillel organized a pop-up event on campus to allow participants to decorate masks in preparation for the festivities. Following this, on March 22, students at Hillel engaged in baking hamantaschen, a traditional Purim cookie with various fillings.

As the holiday culminated on March 24, students flocked to the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life and the Chabad House dressed in a myriad of costumes, ranging from cowboys to rockstars, cartoon characters, and even members of the Columbia Women’s Basketball team. The night was filled with joy and celebration as Orthodox and Conservative readings took place alongside lively Purim parties.

The following day, the Jewish communities gathered for a reading of the Megillah accompanied by a spread of bagels, pizza, pasta, and a barbecue, further solidifying the spirit of togetherness and celebration.

In reflecting on the events, it is clear that the Hillel and Chabad Purim celebrations brought much joy and unity to the Columbia community, as aptly summarized by one attendee, "Needless to say, the Hillel and Chabad Purim events brought much simcha to the Columbia community!"