ratchet

Pile of groggers (aka ratchets) in advance of Purim.

Photo by Julian Seltzer. Location: Waltham, MA

Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the Jewish people's survival of an ancient-Persian annihilation plot. Groggers are a traditional part of the holiday's festivities. Here at Brandeis U., people go crazy on Purim. Since some observant Jews do not celebrate Halloween, Purim is used as an excuse to get dressed up in costume, drink and party.