The Origins of Israel, 1882–1948: A Documentary History

31. Purim Celebrations in Tel Aviv (1931)

180 31 Purim Celebrations in Tel Aviv (1931) The first Purim Carnival in Tel Aviv was organized in 1912 by the Herzlia Gymnasium art teacher Avraham Aldemah; several students and adults in costumes marched from the school building to the train tracks on Herzl Street. Meir Dizengoff, Tel Aviv’s first mayor, understood the civic significance of such an event, and on the following year he turned the march into a Hebrew festival. Since then annual Purim festivals were held in Tel Aviv, as long as the political situation allowed it to go on (in 1920 the carnival was canceled following the events in Tel Hai and the death of Joseph Trumpeldor; see document 38). In the late 1920s, the city decided to turn the carnival into a more organized institution that would last three days and include a variety of events. In 1931 the city sought suggestions from the public for themes for the celebration, and in 1932 the name adloyada (in Hebrew “until they will not know”; the name was taken from a passage in the Talmud that instructs people to celebrate the Purim holiday to the point when they will not know the difference between the evil Haman and the righteous Moredcai), which was proposed by the writer S. Y. Agnon, was adopted as the celebration’s official name. The four adloyada celebrations that took place between 1932 and 1935 were grand public celebrations that included street festivals, activities for children, and special theatrical productions. The celebrations also included satirical themes aimed at British policies. In 1936, because of the Great Arab Revolt, the adloyada was canceled. Only in 1955 did the annual Purim celebration return to Tel Aviv on a regular basis until the late 1960s. In this document, the city of Tel Aviv provided an outline of what the official celebration would include with an emphasis on celebrating the spirit and achievements Source: Tel Aviv-Yaffo Municipal Archive, C-4–3219. Translated by Marganit Weinberger-Rotman. of the Jewish community in Palestine. While this was an urban carnival, great emphasis was placed on celebrating the achievements of the Yishuv’s agricultural sector. ❖ Objectives 1. Dispel the gloom enveloping the public and lift its spirits. 2. Attract out-of-town visitors to alleviate the economic slump and encourage commerce, transport, etc. 3. Demonstrate progress in industry, agriculture, and crafts. Background 1. The carnival and the other Purim celebrations must be the creation and expression of the general public, unlike the rest of the year when the public is a passive observer. The committee must encourage and urge the public to participate. 2. The holiday of Purim should be an occasion of mirth and optimism for the Yishuv. This spirit should characterize all the preparations: we will assist not only those groups that put on satirical skits and critical sketches, but also groups that will spread good cheer, joy, and merriment. 3. Masquerades and other forms of entertainment should be humorous, witty, and done in artistic and tasteful manner. Schedule The holiday opens with the reading of the Megillah [Book of Esther], on the eve of the fourteenth of Adar and ends the next day, Shushan Purim,1 the fifteenth of Adar, in the evening. Thus, there are three parts to the festival: (a) opening night; (b) the fourteenth of Adar—Children, Youth and Sports Day; (c) the fifteenth of Adar—Carnival Day. A. Opening Night 1. Ushering in the holiday—At nightfall, a long siren will be sounded from the silicate factory, fire station, and the ships docked in the harbor that day. We Purim Celebrations in Tel Aviv (1931) 181 must, however, secure the captains’ permission beforehand and make sure they point the projectors toward the city. The siren will last three minutes and will be immediately followed by a trumpet salute. For this purpose we need to recruit the best trumpeters from schools, youth organizations, and orchestras, about twenty-five in all, who will be placed on rooftops along Allenby and NahlatBinyamin streets. A special ten-minute-long tune should be composed for the occasion. When the music starts, torches will be lit on all the balconies and roofs of Herzl, Allenby, and Nahlat-Binyamin streets, which will add to the festive atmosphere, but are also emblems of ancient holidays. The committee will have to come to an agreement with landlords regarding this arrangement. When the trumpet blowing is...