In the video: Not a happy holiday: the families of the abductees brought to the MKs a "package delivery" of a quarter of pita / Uri Sela
Schools across the country celebrated Purim this morning (Wednesday) in the shadow of the war.
Costume Day, which took place in educational institutions that do not study on Fridays, looks a little different in many places than previous years.
In the settlements surrounding Gaza, to which some residents recently returned, they chose limited celebrations.
"There is no reason to celebrate. We are at war, we have abductees in Gaza who need to be returned. That is why the celebrations will be very modest in Otef," said Rotem, a resident of Otef.
"At the same time, the little children did dress up to try and give them some sanity on this difficult holiday. Purim this year will not be happy at all."
Student and teacher at Yitzhak Navon Elementary School.
"We insisted that soldiers and policemen are not a scary thing"/Official website, Yitzhak Navon Elementary School, Modi'in region
Purim celebrations Yitzhak Navon Elementary School.
"Salute to the security forces and doctors"/Official website, Yitzhak Navon Elementary School, Modi'in region
Ben Gurion School in Nes Ziona.
Raising awareness of the abductees/official website, Ben Gurion Nes Ziona School
Ben Gurion School in Nes Ziona.
Raising awareness of the abductees/official website, Ben Gurion Nes Ziona School
At the Yitzhak Navon elementary school in the Modi'in region, the educational team chose to hold the day on the theme "Salute to the security forces and doctors".
"We designed the school as different positions of a military base, a clinic, a Red Star of David, and the police, and that's what we dressed up as," said director Sagit Hatuka.
According to her, the soldiers' and policemen's costumes were especially noticeable this year among the children.
"In the beginning, there was criticism about the subject, which could stress the children, but we insisted that soldiers and policemen are not a scary thing - but a safe thing for us. We did not bring toys that simulate weapons or things like that. In the end, the parents were very enthusiastic."
"There was a different atmosphere this time. We know that this is not a normal Purim, that it is not an easy time. Many parents are drafted into the army. We try to keep the routine without disconnecting from reality and what is happening in the country. This day gave a good feeling," she added.
Ataret Ben Moshe from Atid High School Lod, in a costume to raise awareness for the abductees/Official website, Atid PR
Noam Kahlon from Atid High School in Beer Sheva, in a costume to raise awareness for the abductees/official website, Atid PR
In an attempt to bridge the gap between the joy that characterizes Purim and the difficult period, and the mixed feelings towards the celebrations, costumes were used to mark October 7th in many other institutions.
Ataret Ben Moshe, a 9th grade student at Emanuel Moreno "Atid" High School in Lod, created the "Sabbath Kidnapped" costume with her grandmother and sister.
"Even in moments of joy, we must not forget the abductees and the joy will not be complete until they are not happy in their home," she said.
Purim celebrations Yitzhak Navon Elementary School.
"Salute to the security forces and doctors"/Official website, Yitzhak Navon Elementary School, Modi'in region
Purim celebrations Yitzhak Navon Elementary School.
"Salute to the security forces and doctors"/Official website, Yitzhak Navon Elementary School, Modi'in region
Purim celebrations Yitzhak Navon Elementary School.
"Salute to the security forces and doctors"/Official website, Yitzhak Navon Elementary School, Modi'in region
Noam Kahlon, a 9th grade student at Atid High School in Be'er Sheva, incorporated into his costume the names of the settlements that were affected, the names of the martyrs from Be'er Sheva, the Nova party, and 134 ribbons sewn on his pants as the number of abductees in Gaza.
Before the announcement of the winning costume in the competition in which it was won, the students and the school faculty stood for a minute of silence in memory of the murdered and martyrs and for the safe return of the abducted to their homes.
At the Ben Gurion School in Nes Ziona, the staff wore shirts with a yellow ribbon and the words "The joy is not complete without you" and "We are waiting for you at home."
Director Iris Doron said that "every year the morning of Purim is a happy, exciting, humorous morning, the entire educational staff strips off the Moorish image and wears a mask. This day, this year, the joy is missing."
More on the same topic:
Purim
Gaza war
War of Iron Swords
Gaza Envelope