Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate holiday of Purim Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrated in Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighbourhood the religious holiday of Purim. The carnival-like Purim holiday is celebrated with parades, costume parties and large amounts of alcohol to commemorate the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to exterminate them in the ancient Persian Empire 2,500 years ago, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther.