Omaha daily bee., 1885-03-03
THE PURlM BALL.
A Social Celebration If a sacred
Jewish Anniversary,
The Feast of the Purim-Details OF
the Ball,

Last night at Falconer's hall, occurred
the frat Purim ball given by the Nebraska
Lodge, No. 354, of the Order B'na
Breth.
The ball was successful, as q plea'urable
event largely attended by prominent rep
resentatiyeu of the Hebrew society. The
Purim festival was celebrated in the same
way throughout the country last night,
for the first time In this city. Before passing
to the subject of the event itself, it may
be we'll to mention the
FESTIVAL OF Fl PURIM.
The feast of Purim, which is, In the
book of Father, stated to mean lots, from
the lots which Hamau, the prosecutor OF
the Persian Jews In the reign of Xerxes-
Ashasu erus, had cast TO destroy all the
Jews of the realm on one certain day, is
annually celebrated as q day of tejolcing
and merriment among Israelites. From
the time Of the institution of this feaat,
about the fifth century before Christ,
to our DAYS 1t has not failed to rouse
feelings of pleasure and happiness 8 in
Jewish hearts. Among the many festal
days specially designated in the old
stRoll OF the Fats" as such on which
no one must hold a fast, even for individ-
ual devotion, the feast Of Hannkkak and
Purim have met with the readiest ac-
acknowledgement, aud these two have re-
mained yet as the only survivors of the
long list recorded there. Purim has still
a strong hold on Israelttes everywhere.
The chief feature OF its celebration is the
public reading of The book OF Esther,
formerly written on parchment scrolls,
during service, and the uendiug of por-
lions to one another and of charitable
gifts to the poor, to let them rejoice
along with the Weather and those more
blessed with worldly goods.
The B'nai Birth itHelf is a benevolent
cooley, on the secret order, comprising
the Hebrew fellowship not only Of Amer
lea but of foreign countries as well. Lodge
No. 1854 was Instituted in this city last
fall.
THE BALL..
Early 10 the evening the couples began
to come until when the grand march
was sounded by the Musical Union or
chessra, the hall was filed by a represen-
tation of the best society Of local Jewish
circles. Dancing, with intermission for
supper, was continued until q late hour,
in observance of a programme of fifteen
numbers.
The regular ball and masquerade re-
porter OF this journal YVES absent last
night 10 a~tsendaucs upon the funeral of
his mother in law, and The rsligio-scientiic
reporter was called upon to depict the
pleasures of this event. he Is somewhat
,,,,l, - Al ,yovlr hut ha'tauau that tho
folio wing list will show pretty nearly all
WHO WERE PRESENT.
Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac Oberfelder, Mr..
and Mrs. Max Meyer, Mr.. and Mrs.
Adolph Meyer, Mr.. and Mrs. Moritz
Meyer, Mr.. and Mvs. F. Adler, Mr.. and
Mrs. A. Heller, Mr.. and Mrs. M. Gold
smith, Mr.. aud Mrs. B. Newman, Mr..
and M RS. Philip. Gottheimer, Mr.. and
Mrs. S. BlnswAnger, Mr.. and Mrs
Seligstrom, Mr.. and Mrs. s. Relchenburg
Mr.. and Mr.. A. Pollock, Mr.. and Mrs.
A. JAG Olson, Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Hem,
Mr.. and Mrs. @. Shaw, Mrs. Fisher,
Mrs. S. Schlesipger, Mrs. Brandeis, Miss
Schlesiuger, Miss Hiruoh, Miss Selig'
sohn, Miss Newman, Misses Rothschild,
Mis-, Rosenthal, Miss Splegel, Miss
Abrams, Miss Braudeis, Miss Sin
cers, Simon Oberfelder, Solo
mon Fisher, S. sohlesingsr. Mr.
Carl BrAndeis, Julius Meyer
Dr.. fairfield, s. Ho'zhiemer, j. A
Freyhau, Ike New, I. Schlesinger, s
Reitzenstein, A. Brsndsis, Ike Kaufman
l. shift, S.. Gostz, Sam Sincere. Among
those from abroad were Mrs. l. NJ. APP
pei, Denver; Miss Ina Schwa'
Ter, Council Bluffs; Messrs. j
Coleman, Harry GruenebAum, Mr.. Bolleu
burg, l.. j. Leon, New York; Mr.
Calm, of Chicago; MI. R%uckhauser, Mil
waukee; F. Strauss, +. Emanuel, Phila'
delphls; Ben Cornhauser, Chicago; Hen
ny Sonnebaum, Baltimore; MI. Fried
man, Council Bluffs.