Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-09
THE FEAST OF PIJRIM.
THIS JEWISH FESTIVAL VERY
GENERALLY OBSERVED HERE.
A GRAND Mask BALL LAST NIGHT.
Sir Moses Montefore's Congregation
Danced mt Sanger Hail-Prises
acters-Young Folks Dance.

The Feast OF Purim, one Of the most
notable anniversaries in the Jewish calen-
dar, was celebrated very generally here
yesterday.
This anniversary falls on the 18th day
Of the month of Adar, the latter being
the twelfth month in the Hebrew calen-
dar.
The story OF Esther is the story Of
Purim, and the Jews have been cele-
brating the day probably ever since the
year 473 3. c., when the events occurred
which form such an interesting portion
Of Jewish history.
The festival commenced Monday at
shutdown and ended last night. Accord
ing to the usual custom, the Jewish con-
gregations assembled in their synagogues
Monday evening, and the book OF Esther
was read.
A PURIM MASK BALL.
Yesterday was day OF festival, ana
was observed as such all over the city
The most conspicuous OF the jollihcations
WAS the fourth annual Purim and mas
querade ball Of Sir Moses Montehore'
congregation, held last night at Sanger
Hall. The floor was crowded with the
merry masqueraders, who held high car
nival until midnight. The grand march
was led by Mr.. Michael Pierce, imper-
sonating a hod-carrier, and Miss Lena
Schappiro. in the character OF an indian
maiden About IL 80 o'clock the merry
makers formed in line and marched III
review of the judges, the latter being
Mayor Taylor, Colonel John 5. HARDWOOD
Messrs. John e. Epps, Sol. Bloomberg'
and ]. IT. Hughes. After consultation
of q few minutes the prizes were award
ed as follows Colonel Harwood, the
chairman. making the presentation
speech: First gentleman's prize, silver
watch. won by Mr.. John McGruder, IN
the character of the NEGRO dude Sc
cond gentleman's prize, silk umbrella
won by Mr.. Michael Friedman, as the
"clown and his donkey; first lazy
prize. a diamond ring. won by Mrs. FellN
Bosehen. in the character of a cake
walker; second lady's prize, toilet
case. won by Miss Jennie Weinstein, as
the "colored nurse"
CLEVER IMPERSONATIONS.
Among the best gotten up characters
were Mr.. Michael Pierce, as hod-car-
rier; Mr. Jacob Lovenstein, as nsher-
man: Mr.. Ben. Spiegel, as the dead
game SPORT; Mr.. Albert Henckel, as a
Turk: Mr.. Joe Plume, as the "sweh
COON. Mr.. Charles Pinchbach, DANDY
niger; Mr. Sam. Ellsner, blind man;
Mr.. H. Cohen, coon; Harry Brown
newsboy; Mrs. Brady, Cuban girl; MIS-
William Greer, gypsy queen; MISS Lena
Schappiro. Indian girl; Miss Friedman
washerwoman; Miss Jennie Weinstelh'
colored nurse, and Miss Lena Examiner
folly. -
Others who represented characters de-
serving of mention were the Misses An
ME. Dora, Carrie; and Rosa Schapplro
and Messrs Charles Miller, Charles
Meanley. Barney Malloy, Isodore Conen'
Morris Kanasky, Michael LoVehsteln'
Saltwater Cassatta, J. J.. Taylor, j. n.
Harmon, David Griffith, n. Bernstein H.
bernstein. Dan Weisiger. c. Gehring'
Barney Schappiro, l.. b. Dillson Archie
Baroff. and Nathan Schuman.
Much OF the success Of the AFFAIR was
due 10 the Committee on Arrangements
composed of the following gentlemen
Messrs. B. Wolf, chairman; w. T. Mean
lev floor manager; Morris Malloy' assist
ant floor manager; S. Spilberg, A. NAL
low. A. Kaminsky, H. II. Rosenberg ~
cohen s. Weinberg and J. silva.