Milwaukee's Jewish Community Center celebrates Purim with special event, parade

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Purim Parade took place at Milwaukee's Jewish Community Center Tuesday. It was a little bit of Mardi Gras and Halloween rolled into one fun event.

Purim has been called one of the most joyful of Jewish holidays.

At Tuesday's parade, dozens of children marched or rode in costumes with the JCC staff. They also heard the story of how the queen of Persia saved the Jewish people from destruction.

"Many times we talk about the term to never forget in the yucky ways, in the ways that are filled with things that are not good in the world," said Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of the Jewish Community Center. "And so it's just a great chance to tell a story that, while there are times that are tough, where we may face adversity, we can all come together as a community to overcome that adversity."

Tuesday's parade also included a mitzvah, where students do a good deed, and they all received a special treat called a hamantash.