Thursday Afternoon in Williamsburg: Celebrating Purim with Burning of Israeli Flag on Lee Avenue and Hewes Street

(Video courtesy American Jewish Voice)

Williamsburg 30-Second Mystery Theatre: Season Finale - Why Is Talentless ASPCA Rocco So Popular? 7/10

A shocking and sudden tragedy overshadows the celebration of Purim on Lee Avenue.

Williamsburg 30-Second Mystery Theatre: Season Finale - Why Is Talentless ASPCA Rocco So Popular? 6/10

At the Purim celebration on Lee Avenue, Mr. Ratmansky tries to divert Claudia from her depression as they watch their Satmar neighbors joyfully burn the Israeli flag.

Thursday Afternoon in Williamsburg: Celebrating Purim with Burning of Israeli Flag on Lee Avenue

(Video courtesy American Jewish Voice)

Sunday in South Williamsburg: Purim Festivities on Lee Avenue

(Video courtesy Teis Eastwood)
(Video courtesy Marek Cejka) (Video courtesy vos9es) (Video courtesy Jacob Kornbluh)

Saturday Night in Williamsburg: Celebration of Kuf Alef Kislev at the New York State Armory on Marcy Avenue

The 21st day of Kislev is celebrated annually by Satmar Chasidim worldwide as the day R' Yoel Teitelbaum Zt'l the founder of Satmar Chasidis in America, escaped from Hungary and this year marks the 69th anniversary of the Grand Rebbe's escape from the Nazis. (Video courtesy shiezoli)

Wednesday Night in Williamsburg: Mark Wholesale, Inc. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration at the Lot on Rodney Street and Broadway

Coming home from the concert at East River Park, as we got off the J train at Marcy Street, we heard klezmer music, and as we turned onto Rodney Street just north of Broadway, just behind where we're currently living, we saw a gorgeously decorated party at the vacant lot.

A poster at the entrance described this private party for VIPs as a "ribbon cutting" and names Mark Wholesale, Inc., which has its business on Bedford Avenue, so I guess they're opening something here. Cool.

There was a lavish display of lights, liquor and food under a big white party tent, and Hasidic men were gathering at small tables in front of it. Soulful klezmer music was playing, and a man with a sweet voice sung lulling songs in Yiddish. We stared from behind the chain link fence and listened to the pleasant, highly amplified music. The smell of seared beef - filet mignon? - made even a vegetarian a little swoony, so we left after a while of being outside, listening in.

Even as we write this at 10:30 p.m., from our bedroom, which faces South 5th Street, we can still hear the party band playing klezmer.