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For one, there is the holiday’s proximity in the calendar to the Jewish festival of Purim. And just as Easter has elements of Passover, and Christmas is basically Hanukkah 2.0, so too does Mardi But culturally, as a New Orleanian, I know well that contemporary Mardi Gras celebrations are truly for everyone to enjoy. Did you know that the first King of Rex (King of Mardi Gras), Louis Soloman, was Jewish? And that there’s a full-blown Jewish Mardi Gras Krewe? So maybe your Mardi Gras experience could be a bit more Jewish than you think. Alan Smason, editor of the Crescent City Jewish News who was born and bred in New Orleans, notes the proximity between Mardi Gras festivities and the Jewish holiday of Purim. Even the colors associated with the holidays harken to royalty, including that of Queen Esther in Persia. Mardi Gras is the last day of carnival season. Alan Smason, editor of the Crescent City Jewish News who was born and bred in New Orleans, notes the proximity between Mardi Gras festivities and the Jewish holiday of Purim. Even the colors No biblical Jewish holiday is celebrated in precisely this manner. There are no sacrifices, no references to God, to His deeds, to His character or His Word. There is no worship, only celebration. It is more like New Year’s Eve in New York City or the New Orleans’ Mardi Gras than the Passover or Pentecost in Jerusalem. Purim is a celebration of life that is sometimes referred to as "Jewish Halloween" or "Jewish Mardi Gras" for its costumes, festivals and indulgence in food and drink, though both terms vastly A Jewish one. For one, there is the holidays proximity in the calendar to the Jewish festival of Purim. And just as Easter has elements of Passover, and Christmas is basically Hanukkah 2.0, so too does Mardi Gras resemble Purim in more ways than one. The carnival-like atmosphere has led Americans to sometimes refer to Purim as the “Jewish Mardi Gras”, says the BBC. There are four main religious requirements for observant Jews on Purim. Most importantly, they must attend the synagogue on the eve of Purim or the following day, when the story of Esther is read aloud. The Jewish parade crew Krewe du Jieux was established in 1996 — they throw golden bagels instead of the beads synonymous with Mardi Gras. The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience ’s features Ruth Bader Ginsburg fighting for rights, fashioned by the Krewe du Mishigas for their 2019 Mardi Gras parade. Purim has sometimes been called "the Jewish Mardi Gras." This source sheet examines the ways in which Purim can be compared to Mardi Gras and ways in which it is different. Texts Topics Community Donate In a February 16, 2010 article for Tablet entitled “The Krewes and the Jews,” Justin Vogt wrote about the Krewe du Jieux, a ragtag, whimsical Mardi Gras krewe that marches as part of Krewe du Its Story Is About a Victory Over Jewish Persecution; Making Noise in Synagogue Is Encouraged; Purim Is Considered the Jewish Mardi Gras; It All Comes Back to Food; Purim Doubles as a Masquerade Party; Purim Touched a Nerve With Hitler The carnival-like atmosphere has led Americans to sometimes refer to Purim as the “Jewish Mardi Gras”, says the BBC. Children in costume in London during Purim 2015 (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Alan Smason, editor of the Crescent City Jewish News who was born and bred in New Orleans, notes the proximity between Mardi Gras festivities and the Jewish holiday of Purim. Even the colors associated with the holidays harken to royalty, including that of Queen Esther in Persia. Mardi Gras is the last day of carnival season. New Orleans Jewish Community Center – UPTOWN 5342 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115 • (504) 897-0143 Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Center – METAIRIE When is Mardi Gras? Fat Tuesday, which translates to Mardi Gras in French, is on Tuesday, March 4, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. This year, the Jewish holiday of Passover begins Mardi Gras is not celebrated as an official church holiday, but is celebrated because the following day starts Lent, a 40-day period of preparation and penitence before Easter. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, so Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday", is often the last day that people may indulge before beginning dietary restrictions. At first glance, Purim appears to be a Jewish Mardi Gras — a day of raucous humor, irreverence and revelry. In fact, at its core, Purim grapples with deep and even troubling themes. The Jewish calendar highlights the eternal struggle between good and evil as Purim approaches. Purim and Mardi Gras serve, paradoxically, If this description of this strange Jewish holiday sounds familiar, that is because it is like nothing so much as Mardi Gras. Both of these Jewish ‘Mardi Gras’? Religious holiday of Purim marked by merriment and costumes. the Jewish holiday that has been compared to Mardi Gras, although no beads of any kind are involved
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