New York’s Gilded Age Purim Balls

New York’s Gilded Age Purim Balls: A Glittering Display of Jewish Tradition and High Society

In the late 19th century, New York City’s wealthy German Jewish elite hosted one of the most extravagant social events of the season—the annual Purim Ball. These dazzling affairs were a fascinating intersection of Jewish tradition and Gilded Age high society, symbolizing the aspirations and assimilating efforts of New York’s Jewish elite who sought to gain acceptance within the city’s prevailing gentile aristocracy.

The Perception of Jews in America

Between 1860 and 1895, a wave of impoverished Eastern European Jewish immigrants arrived in New York. These newcomers were often met with suspicion, antisemitic prejudice, and seen as unassimilated due to their religious customs, dress, and the Yiddish language they spoke.

In stark contrast, New York’s German Jewish community—alongside the well-established Sephardic Jewish population—had quickly gained wealth in America and aspired to join the ranks of the Astors and Vanderbilts. Yet, while Protestant society readily conducted business with Jews, they were reluctant to accept them socially.

The Origins of New York’s Purim Ball

The Purim Ball emerged in 1860 as a strategic effort by wealthy young German Jewish socialites to greater acceptance and recognition among New York’s upper class. Lawyer and political activist Myer Samuel Isaacs saw an opportunity to create a spectacular event that would simultaneously meet the social needs of affluent Jews and raise funds for Eastern European Jewish immigrants. Writing in his newspaper, The Jewish Messenger, Isaacs proposed: “Purim should be selected as the occasion of a good fancy dress ball, the proceeds to be donated to charity.”¹

Purim in America: A Tradition Reimagined

The holiday of Purim commemorates the story of how Queen Esther saved the Jews of Persia from persecution at the hands of the king’s prime minister, Haman. It is a joyous festival marked by costume parties, gift-giving, charity, and revelry.

While Jews had observed Purim in America since colonial times, prior to the Reconstruction Era and Gilded Age, “it was a general custom in Hebrew circles in the city to keep open house on Purim Day, and the young people made merry by disguising themselves in all sorts of comical costumes and visiting their friends so attired.”²

The Purim Association and the Birth of the Ball

In 1862, Isaacs and his peers established the Purim Association, hosting the first Purim Ball at Irving Hall. Billed as a “Fancy Dress Ball” to skirt masquerade restrictions, the event quickly became a sensation. Over the next four decades, the annual Purim Ball solidified its status as a premier social event in New York, raising substantial funds for Jewish charities such as orphanages, hospitals, and welfare societies.

A Coveted Invitation

By the 1890s, a ticket or box seat at the Purim Ball became a symbol of social status. Prominent German Jewish families such as the Seligmans, Rothschilds, and Lehmans paid exorbitant amounts—up to $250 (roughly $8,500 today)—to secure the most desirable spots at venues like the Metropolitan Opera House. The event attracted not only Jewish elites but also non-Jewish socialites, mayors, and politicians, all vying for a chance to attend.

In 1883, the Purim Association published the Purim Gazette, a souvenir journal that included the regulations that were “strictly enforced by order of the committee,” including rules that no unmasked attendees would be admitted on the floor before midnight; that ladies wearing hats or bonnets, unless in fancy costume, would not be admitted on the floor; and that all masks had to be removed at 1 a.m.³

Extravagant Decor and Costumes

The Purim Ball was renowned for its elaborate decor and themed costuming. Venues were transformed into opulent paradises, such as the 1890 ball at the Metropolitan Opera House, which featured garlands of ivy and roses, a woodland scene on stage, and a glowing display of the word “Charity” overhead.

Guests dressed in imaginative costumes, from historical figures like Joan of Arc to characters from popular culture. One woman made a stunning entrance in a dress entirely crafted from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.

Entertainment and Spectacle

Each year, the Purim Association offered attendees a range of entertainments, including theatrical performances, magic shows, and tableaux vivants—staged reenactments of scenes from the Purim story. Orchestras with 100+ musicians played waltzes and square dances, while special bands provided music during supper hours. No expense was spared in creating an atmosphere of indulgence and celebration.

One lady was dressed in the height of fashion, in garments made entirely of Frank Leslie’s [illustrated] paper, and was decidedly a feature of the night, as were “Joan of Arc,” “Old Aunt Dinah,” “Mehitabel Ann,” “Old Mother Goose,” “Pocahontas,” “Anne Boleyn,” and the “Dame aux Camelias.”

— “The Purim Ball” The New York Times. March 7, 1863

After the first of the introductory music, three numbers in all, the dancing began. There was no march, the first number on the programme being a waltz, and after that a long series of square and round dances, alternated by promenade music. Enough floor space had been preserved to prevent uncomfortable crowding, and until an early hour this morning the big room was all ahum with laughter, chatting, and the sound of music.

— “Ball of the Purim Association” New York Times. March 10, 1893

The Lasting Impact of the Purim Ball

From 1862 to 1902, the Purim Ball raised the equivalent of millions of dollars for various charitable causes. In 1880 alone, the event drew over 4,000 attendees and raised more than $500,000 (in today’s dollars) for Mount Sinai Hospital.

Beyond its charitable success, the Purim Ball marked a significant cultural milestone. It reflected the German Jewish community’s shift from marginalization to social integration in Gilded Age New York. Moreover, it showcased the emergence of distinctly American Jewish traditions, where ancient religious customs were reinterpreted through the lens of contemporary American life—blending opulence, creativity, and philanthropy.

Conclusion

The Gilded Age Purim Balls were more than just glamorous events—they were a testament to the changing social dynamics of New York’s Jewish community and a reflection of the broader aspirations of Jewish Americans during the 19th century. By merging tradition with modernity, the Purim Ball not only supported charitable causes but also helped establish a lasting legacy of Jewish inclusion within the city’s highest social circles.

Sources:

1. Saul Jay Singer, The Jewish Press, March 23, 2016.
2. The New York Times, February 27, 1880.