FREDERICKTOWN — One of the most festive holidays in the Jewish faith, Purim is a celebration of the deliverance of the Jewish people from obliteration.

On the 14th day of the month of Adar in the Hebrew calendar, which this year falls on the evening of Feb. 28 and continues into March 1, Jews all over the world will celebrate Purim by eating food, playing games, masquerading in costumes, singing and reading of the Book of Esther. The story tells of a young Jewish woman, Esther, who was made queen by Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, learned of a plot by Haman, the king’s advisor, to destroy the Jewish people. Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak for the sake of her people, and in doing so was able to save the Jews from extermination.