(L-R) Michelle Joni, Lucy Hall, Susannah Perlman, Vicki Winters are definitely on the bus. PHOTOS BY BOB KRASNER
A unique celebration of Purim on the Lower East Side
BY BOB KRASNER
Michelle Joni is always,
she says, “looking
for an opportunity to
dress up and celebrate,” so why
not Purim? Considered the most
joyous of Jewish holidays, Purim
celebrates an act of heroism by a
courageous biblical queen with
Michelle Joni making sure she documents the occasion.
costumes (heavy on royal purple)
and food (okay, all the celebrations
involve food).
Joni and friends arrived Friday
at Katz’s deli on Glinda the Good
Bus – Joni’s home until recently
– stocked with homemade hamentashen
(a traditional Purim treat)
and sporting a DJ setup on top
of the bus. They came ready to
dance – but not before fueling up
with pastrami from the popular
Vicki Winters brought her
wings and an “Oy Vey” tiara
to the party.
deli.
Joni mentions that she has
“fond memories of growing up
Jewish” and was inspired to celebrate
Purim by her new friend
Susannah Perlman, who she credits
with making the hamentashen.
“When I met her, she was
dressed as a dreidel,” Joni recalls.
DJ’s Deon Phillips and Flo Pilot
provided the tunes, mixing in
songs about “Queens” and “Haters”
in keeping with the story of
Purim.
Passersby stopped to dance
with, among others, Lucy Hall,
Mike Schwab and Vicki Winters.
Winters was particularly happy
with the choice of venue, as she
had happy memories of meals at
Katz’s with her family.
Not everyone was happy with
their choice, though, and eventually
the police came by to notify
them of the noise complaints and
tell them to move along.
“We just packed it up and
headed down to Delancey Street
, where we danced, sang “Havah
Negilah” and recited the Shabbos
prayer,” reported Joni later. “We
were joined by a unicorn and
other costumed friends, who were
dancing in the street behind the
bus.”
“What I am trying to do is
bring the community together
and celebrate life, ” Joni relates.
“To make everyday a holiday and
give people a chance to express
themselves.”
Look for future events (including
a Passover celebration) on
Instagram @michellejoni and @
glindathegoodbus
Michelle Joni dealing with the police.
22 March 4, 2021 Schneps Media