Purim, one of the most joyous and festive holidays in the Jewish calendar, commemorates the survival of the Jewish people as told in the Book of Esther. Marked by lively celebrations, costumes, and the reading of the Megillah, Purim is also deeply connected to music and performance. At the Recorded Sound Archives (RSA), we are fortunate to have a collection of rare and historic recordings that capture the spirit of this holiday.

Discover Our Purim Collection

From traditional Purim songs to theatrical performances, our collection includes recordings that bring the holiday’s energy to life. These recordings, available in full for listening, offer a window into the rich cultural and musical traditions associated with Purim. Read More About This…

Ma Nishtana (מה נשתנה‎) is also known as The Four Questions.

Recited by the youngest child at the table it evokes our own childhood experience and the pride we felt participating in the family seder.

Sung by Fran Avni’s Singing Children’s Chorus Read More About This…

What makes this holiday different from all other holidays?

Growing up in a Jewish home has given me wonderful memories of the Passover holidays we celebrated when I was a child.  Weeks before Passover my mother would start liberating the Pesach tableware from the nooks and corners where they had been stashed since last year. The whole house had to be cleaned. When we were done, of course, not a crumb of chametz remained. And the cooking and baking!  I can still close my eyes and imagine the wonderful aromas that emanated from my mother’s kitchen. Matzo meal cookies were my favorites.  It was my job to stick a finger in the center of  the cookie mixture and then fill the indentation with a bit of strawberry jam.

Now my grand-daughter helps her mother make the cookies. The cast has changed but the play is the same. One generation passes customs and traditions on to the next. Read More About This…