YOUNGSTOWN - The Jewish Community Center hosted a carnival Sunday afternoon for the Jewish holiday of Purim, which was free for all to attend.

Barbara Wilson, who serves as Director of Cultural Arts and Jewish Engagement of the JCC, says that the holiday is considered a festive day in the Jewish religion.

"We do that by dressing up in costume, having a costume contest, we have a carnival going on here, and inviting the whole community to join us," she said.

The event included carnival games, prizes, snacks, and a costume contest for children. 

Purim is said to commemorate when the Persian queen Esther saved the Jewish people from a Persian official named Haman, who planned to execute all the Jews in the empire as recounted in the Book of Esther according to Chabad.org.

"We have special cookies called Hamantaschen, which are three-cornered cookies meant to represent Haman's hat, some say the shape of the pockets he had, some say the shape of his ear," she said.

Wilson adds that she believes the festival is a way to bring members of the community together. 

"The best way we can stop the division in our world right now is to share things with each other, so when we share this fun holiday with other people, they can learn a little about our culture or our background, and enjoy themselves," she said.

JCC Executive Director Denise Wolf says that the JCC as a whole is open to all members of the community.

"We have an amazing, diverse population here, and it's so heartwarming to see everyone celebrating Purim," she said.