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Holiday Celebrations

Purim

Purim celebrates the courage of Queen Esther, who pleaded before King Ahasuerus to save the Jews of Persia from the destructive plot of the wicked Haman. Drawing on key words from the Scroll of Esther, v’nahafokh hu (the plot was turned on its head), Purim is celebrated as “topsy-turvy day”. Children and adults dress in costume, and the day is marked by feasting and revelry. The four commandments of the holiday include: reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), Se’udat Purim (Purim feast), Mishloach Manot (sending gifts of food), and Matanot L’evyonim (charitable gifts to those in need).

At B’nai Israel, children and adults come in costume, and the Megillah is chanted in the evening and morning by teen and adult members of the congregation. Our annual Purim carnival is a real treat, so popular that it is divided into shifts for younger and older children. Our age-appropriate youth services are led by members of the clergy and professional staff with significant participation by the children. The congregation provides opportunities to support community charities.

2026 hamantaschen & purim greetings

B’nai Israel Sisterhood is taking orders for their delicious hamantaschen. Purchase for yourself or share them with loved ones in your own mishloah manot. Proceeds from the hamantaschen sale support Sisterhood and B’nai Israel.

Order Hamantaschen by the Dozen
Each dozen is $18. All hamantaschen are dairy and will be an assortment of chocolate and fruit flavors. They contain milk, eggs, wheat, and soy, and are produced in the B’nai Israel kitchen in accordance with our congregation’s kashrut policies.

Congregational Purim Greetings 
Purchase a Purim Greeting for $50 (which includes a dozen hamantaschen!) and wish our congregation a hag Purim sameah! Purim Greetings will be published in the Winter/Purim issue of the Scroll and via email on Purim.

Jews United for Justice
Purchase hamantaschen to donate to Jews United for Justice (JUFJ). JUFJ will include them in the mishloah manot bags they distribute to statewide and elected officials. It’s a win-win opportunity—Sisterhood gets the proceeds, JUFJ gets the hamantaschen, and you support both by your generosity.

• Hamantaschen pick-up will be available all day at B’nai Israel beginning Monday, February 23.
• If you wish to participate and are unable to place an order online or have questions, please contact sisterhood@bnaiisraelcong.org for assistance.

Orders will not be accepted after Friday, January 30. Click here to place an order.

 

Purim celebrations

Sun, November 16 2025 25 Cheshvan 5786