A spring chill is in the air, Valentine’s Day cards sit collecting dust on your mantle, and the Ides of March have come and gone. It’s that time of year: Purim! A day where we Jews are commanded to celebrate and indulge to the point where we don’t know if our friends in costumes are our friends, or the characters they’re dressed up as. For me, a Jewish thespian, it’s an immersive contemporary theater dream come true. Spiels. Parties. Carnivals. Graggers. Hamentaschen — yes, even the ones with Nutella.
But amongst all this anticipatory excitement, perhaps a faint shiver still races down your spine. In the back of your head a pesky, nagging thought: How will I be the most mysterious, captivating and stunning attendee at my synagogue’s annual Purim festivities? We’ve all seen a handful of Esther costumes year after year, a court jester and even your Uncle’s take on Mordecai. But as I prepare for my favorite holiday of all time, I can’t help but feel that these tired and played out options no longer contain my multitudes. It’s 5784. I’m ready for something more nuanced, more questionable and at times, even more provocative. If you’re looking to center your avant-garde knowledge of Jewish pop culture, history and PJ Library Books this Purim, look no further.
1. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins from “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins“
This is a timeless classic. Go as Hershel, make it a group costume and add in your personal gobblin squad, or do what I’d do: Fly solo as the goblin who refused to take his hand out of the pickle jar. Endless opportunities.
2. Troye Sivan’s Tiny Little Cute Red Undies
This costume will be sure to get them started. An outfit for my fellow romantic, modern, musically inclined, cheeky Jews. This look calls for a fun red bodysuit, or shorts, a tank and an outlandish pair of heels. The complete costume will be just as eye-catching as it is utterly useless and confusing.
3. Mandy Patinkin Honoring His Father’s Legs
No one else will know who you are dressed up as, but that doesn’t matter because I and your fellow Hey Alma readers will. Sky’s out thighs out with this one. Pull on those black UGGs and get your own legs out in honor of Patinkin’s father. Show Barbra exactly what she’s missing!
Make your own cut off tank out of any old graphic tee. I suggest this one.
4. The Afikomen
Especially ideal for the introverted Purim lover, dressing as an afikomen is sure to delight fellow party goers. Don your favorite Matzah colored sweater, wrap yourself in a warm blanket and hide somewhere until the end of the party at which point your friends will be forced to come find you. Bonus points if you have a couple crisp dollar bills or a yummy treat waiting for them, as reward for discovering your hiding place of course.
5. A Question Mark
When someone asks you what you are for Purim you can respond by asking, “What do you think I am?” I’m not sure a more Jewish costume exists.
6. Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein
Appealing to the provocateur and perspicacious critic of popular culture, this costume narrowly toes the line between cutting-edge social commentary and wildly offensive. Wear at your own risk!
7. Betty Friedan
No bra needed for this one! Put your feminine mystique on full display and party the night away as this prominent Jewish second-wave feminist.
8. A Jewish Mother and Her Child, a Doctor
This Purim we can be anything we want to be! And this includes pretending, for one glorious holiday, that we aren’t a disappointment to our Jewish Mothers. A great option if you and your friend are looking for a duo costume.
9. The Ever Changing Garment from the “Something From Nothing” Children’s Book
I’m not telling you to dress up as a sexy, strip-tease-esque version of a textile that plays a central role in one of my favorite PJ Library books from childhood, because that would be wrong. But I’m not… not telling you to do that. What happens when the last of Joseph’s blanket disappears? That’s for you to decide…
10. Susie and Larry from “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
This couple’s costume is sure to meet the needs of any enthusiastic, “Curb” loving, Jewish partygoer (Susie) who needs an excuse to insult her date all day long (Larry). Now that’s some cathartic live-action-role-play!
Larry
Susie
Yellow snake skin turtleneck – find the closest replica in various sizes on various pre-owned sites – Linked at Grailed here
11. Pickle Princess
We hear a lot about Esther of course, but not enough about the princess that lives inside of us all. Honor your vinegar loving self this holiday season by dressing up as the princess to end all princesses:, the one who brings enough pickles for everyone!
