Purim celebrations have taken place around the world.

Matched funding campaigns occurred over the festival to benefit poverty-stricken families across the UK and further afield.

In the UK, megillah readings took place in synagogues to cater for members of every age.

Among the many charities to put on events people supported by Norwood joined with staff and family members for the charity’s annual Purim party in London. There was an array of imaginative costumes as everyone got into the Purim spirit with a life DJ and party food.

Elsewhere, Norwood held an inclusive megillah reading for families of children with learning disabilities and autism, allowing families to enjoy an accessible and adapted megillah reading together which accommodates individual needs.

The event included a quiet room and adapted noisemakers and fidget poppers. People supported could decorating their homes with Purim crafts produced for Norwood by volunteers at GIFT, JCoss, JFS, The Hall and Project Impact. Michloach manot were delivered.

Purim celebrations with the Camp Simcha team began with a party for families the charity supports in Manchester last weekend followed by its big rally back for the first time since Covid-19.

In London, the Camp Simcha services team brought Purim fun to Great Ormond Street Hospital, delivering hamantaschen for staff and running a stall in the hospital’s Lagoon area, with Purim treat, arts and crafts and a photo booth for patients and their families to enjoy.

Camp Simcha’s London Purim party for its families follows on Sunday.

Fun galore took place across Kisharon. Pupils at Tuffkid Nursery and Kisharon Noé School enjoyed preparing for Purim, making Hamantasen, learning songs and acting out the megillah story. School pupils also took part in filming a Purim Shpeil video.

Kisharon people packed hundreds of Mishloach Manot as part of Kisharon’s Purim social enterprise project and they enjoyed dressing up, making hamantashen and hearing the megillah.

Many volunteers and Kisharon people have taken part in a fundraising ‘Bucket’ collection where funds raised will go towards supporting the charity.

JDA received a surprise visit from Strictly Come Dancing 2021 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Rose, who was born deaf, delighted members, volunteers and staff as she participated in a Q&A session, including speaking about her Strictly and Eastenders experiences on before taking lead position to dance with JDA member Leslie who was celebrating his 90th birthday.

The room was electric with laughter as Rose posed for photos before joining members for lunch.

A carnival-themed Purim party was held at Belmont United Synagogue in north-west London. Kids and adults enjoyed fairground-style games, including sumo-wrestling, cup toppling and guess-the-sweets in the jar, with a fish and chips dinner helping fuel the fun.

jLiving operates across four London Boroughs, Dacorum in Hertfordshire and Thanet in Kent.

Two properties held Purim parties for residents at Lionel Leighton Court and Wolfson Court.

Following a Megilla by Yigal Wachmann at New West End Synagogue a ‘Jewsical’ concert for over 180 people was held featuring a choir comprising members of Central and New West End.

New West End Chazan Marc Joseph conducted the choir with a melody of popular tunes.

The choir was accompanied by pianist Nathan Martinn and singers Nathan Taylor, Benjamin Till, Vincente Chavarria, Michael Etherton and Steven Leas. Felicity Toube KC organised the event.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a megillah reading at Beit Horon Border Police Base.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, General Kobi Shabtai joined police officers at the reading.

Netanyahu told officers: “The people of Israel greatly appreciate your actions, your efforts, your heroism and your sacrifice. May G-d grant you success and that you watch over the country, yourselves and each other. Happy Purim to you.”

A huge security operation took place across Israel. Police stopped the sale of dangerous toys, arrested people responsible for illegal fireworks sales and worked with local rabbis and community leaders to ensure a peaceful Purim.

Dean Elsdunne, Israel Police international spokesperson said: “Our top priority is safety. We have a strong presence on the streets and will not tolerate any acts of violence or unlawful behaviour. By maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on lawbreakers, Israel Police is demonstrating unwavering commitment to ensuring a peaceful and safe Purim.”

In the US, among a plethora of events, Chaverim of Queens ran an anti-drinking and driving campaign over Purim.

Chaverim had ‘Volunteer Designated Drivers’ available in Queens throughout Purim.

Chaverim co-founder Avigdor Cyperstein said: “The community can enjoy Purim knowing that we are just a phone call away. As always, we remain on hand to respond calls including car troubles like lockouts, flat tires, boosts, among others, and home lockouts.”