The Book of Esther tells the story of the Jews of Persia, during the time of King Ahasuerus. After Queen Esther's cousin Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, the king's minister, Haman tried to wipe out the Jews. The king gave him permission to draw lots (pur) to determine the day of destruction.

When Mordecai learned about the plan, he asked his cousin Esther to intercede. At a banquet for the king and Haman, she denounced Haman, who was hanged. 

Celebrations of this story include humorous spiels with costumes, jokes and songs, and boundary-crossing on issues of gender, sexuality, authority, and relations with the non-Jewish world.

In this photo taken by Barbara Gundle at Havurah's 2018 Purim celebration, Rabbi Benjamin, dressed as Esther, addresses the crowd in a Brooklyn accent.