Purim
Purim is celebrated with a public reading—usually in the synagogue—of the Book of Esther (M’gillat Esther), which tells the story of the holiday. Under the rule of King Ahashverosh, Haman, the king’s prime minister, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of Persia from destruction.
The reading of the m’gillah typically is a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making when Haman’s name is read aloud.
Purim is an unusual holiday in many respects. First, Esther is the only biblical book in which God is not mentioned. Second, Purim, like Hanukkah, traditionally is viewed as a minor festival, but elevated to a major holiday as a result of the Jewish historical experience. Over the centuries, Haman became the embodiment of every anti-Semite in every land where Jews were oppressed. The significance of Purim lies not so much in how it began, but in what it has become: a thankful and joyous affirmation of Jewish survival against all odds.
Celebrate Purim 2022 at TBA!
EREV PURIM – WEDNESDAY 3/16
Haman’s Happy Hour (6-6:30 pm)
Megillah Reading (6:30 pm)
Purim Shpiel (7-8 pm)
Come celebrate Purim with refreshments and adult beverages, followed by our annual chanting of the Megillah and this year’s Purim Shpiel:
Hakuna Megillah!
Are you ready for no worries for the rest of your days? Or, at least for the rest of your evening? Join us for a roaring good time as we retell the story of Queen Esther. Laugh with us, boo with us, howl with us, and enjoy your favorite songs and characters from our Lion King/Jungle Book-themed shpiel!
PURIM PALOOZA – It’s a Jungle In Here!
Sunday, March 20
FREE FOR EVERYONE!
Inflatables, games, crafts, hamantashen, giraffes, zebras, safaris, and MORE! Dress in an animal costume for this year’s jungle theme, or any costume you wish!
SCHEDULE:
10:30 – 11 am
Megillette/Tot Costume Parade– Sanctuary
11 am – 1:30 pm
Purim Carnival- FREE for everyone!
- Inflatables
- Games
- Awesome DJ!
- Cake walk
- Scavenger hunt upstairs in the Keshet Social Hall
- Crafts
- Lots of free raffle prizes
- Hamantashen
- A “snake spa” with hair braiding and face painting
- MORE!
11 am – 1:30 pm
Food Trucks in the parking lot
- Chix N Stix (chicken wings, tenders, Hebrew National hot dogs, fries)
- Flames & Cones (pizza, snow cones)
- Two Smooth Dudes (wraps, salads, tater tots, smoothies)
- Pita on the Plaza (kabobs, shwarma, wraps, bowls)
- Captain Cookie (ice cream, cookies, milk)
11 am – 1:00 pm
Explore the New Keshet mural & participate in a scavenger hunt
Hunt through the rainbow and around the jungle in the Keshet Social Hall (upstairs)! Complete the challenge to be eligible for a big Lion King Prize!
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Keshet Dedication Ceremony
Our clergy will affix a mezuzah to the entrance of our transformed community gathering space. Meet Rosana Azar, Artist-in-Residence, who led 600+ TBA members to create this vibrant mural in honor of TBA’s 50th!
1:45 – 2:45 pm
“Hakuna Megillah” Purim Shpiel- Sanctuary
Join us for a roaring good time as we retell the story of Queen Esther. Laugh with us, boo with us, howl with us, and enjoy your favorite songs and characters from our Lion King/Jungle Book-themed shpiel!
2:45 – 4 pm
Teens-Only Carnival
Carnival blow ups, games and activities just for teens!
Additional Purim Resources
