Purim in Costume

Purim: A day full of meaning, mitzvot, and magic. The anticipation builds for weeks, fills our senses, elevates us to great heights of happiness—and ends too soon. Sharon Abeles, a fine arts photographer with thirty years’ experience, decided to take this holiday to a whole new artistic level.

 

"When I walk the streets, wherever I happen to be, in Jerusalem or Ramat Beit Shemesh (where I live), I find Purim alive and well!" says Sharon. "Purim is a happening—so much going on in the community. Purim has a soul!” 

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For the last twelve years she has set out with her camera, in Jerusalem and RBeit Shemesh, to capture the soul of Purim in the streets, by photographing children and adults in costumes that are authentically homemade, eclectic, creative, beautifully designed and surprisingly unique. 

 

There is a chicken and a clown and a fireman; families are turned out in theme costumes. Soldiers and Chassidim live together in peace in their Purim garb. There is a Statue of Liberty and several delicious looking life-sized “cakes,” Cohanim G’dolim, a man on stilts, several sets of twins, and an absolutely magnificent full-winged and full-billed fluffy bird. Characters from the Tanach and characters from fairy tales and some obligatory kings and queens, and a walking aquarium. These are just a few of the enchanting photos in Abeles’ exhibit.

 

Abeles’ 173 photographs connect us to the meaning and magic of Purim while the poses and facial expressions which she captures also reveal family dynamics and individual personalities.