The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. Other customs include sending food parcels and giving charity, dressing up in masks and costumes, eating a festive meal and public celebration.
Below is a gallery of this year's celebrations in Israel covered by Associated Press photographers Oded Balilty and Ariel Schalit.
See these photos on APImages.com
Mideast Israel Purim
Jewish Orthodox men and children of the Tzanz Hasidic dynasty community read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Netanya, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Mideast Israel Purim
An acrobat jumps from the top of a school building during a performance for foreign migrant workers children to celebrate the Purim festival in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther, which is read in synagogues. Other customs include: sending food parcels and giving charity; dressing up in masks and costumes; eating a festive meal; and public celebrations. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
Jewish ultra-Orthodox men wear costumes during celebrations of the Jewish festival of Purim in Bnei Brak, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
APTOPIX Mideast Israel Purim
Israeli girls prepare for the Purim parade festival in Petah Tikva, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Mideast Israel Purim
An Israeli spectator watches a giant T-Rex balloon during the Purim parade festival in Petah Tikva, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Mideast Israel Purim
A performer poses during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Mideast Israel Purim
A Jewish Orthodox man from the Tzanz Hasidic dynasty community rests on a bench after over-indulging during celebrations of the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
A woman smokes a cigarette while wearing a costume during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
A horse shaped ballon flies in the air during the festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
People wear zombie make-up and outfits walk in the 2016 Zombie Walk Day Edition in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, March 25, 2016.The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther which is read in synagogues. Other customs include sending food parcels and giving charity, dressing up in masks and costumes, eating a festive meal and public celebration. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
A family sits on the beach of the Mediterranean sea during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
A Russian dancer performs during the Jewish festival of Purim in Netanya, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
APTOPIX Mideast Israel Purim
A girl walks to a synagogue of the Tzanz Hasidic dynasty community to read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, in Netanya, Israel, Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
Foreign migrant workers children watch an acrobat perform during the Purim festival in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther, which is read in synagogues. Other customs include: sending food parcels and giving charity; dressing up in masks and costumes; eating a festive meal; and public celebrations. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Mideast Israel Purim
Israeli spectators watch a giant balloon during the Purim parade festival in Petah Tikva, Israel, Thursday, March 24, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Mideast Israel Purim
An acrobat performs for foreign migrant workers children to celebrate the Purim festival in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther, which is read in synagogues. Other customs include: sending food parcels and giving charity; dressing up in masks and costumes; eating a festive meal; and public celebrations. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
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