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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.

2023 purim Events & celebrations

This year's Purim Spiel, “Beauty and the (Purim) Feast”, is a spin on Beauty and the Beast with recognizable characters and songs! With a completely original script and lyrics by Naomi Gerstenblith, Founder of Curtain Up Creative, LLC and B'nai Israel member, this is a B'nai Israel Purim highlight not to be missed. B'nai Israel's Purim Spiel features children in grades K–8 performing the story of Purim through singing, dancing, costumes, and storytelling. 

Tickets are $5 to attend and limited tickets will be available to purchase at the door. The Purim Spiel will be performed on the stage in Fanaroff Auditorium. One hundred percent of all ticket proceeds support the cost of the production. All tickets are GENERAL ADMISSION. 

The Purim Show will be performed twice this year: 

Sunday, March 5 at 4:00 PM SOLD OUT 
Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 PM SOLD OUT (although limited tickets will be available at the door as additional seating becomes available)

This Purim show is NOT be on the same night as the Megillah reading (which this year falls on Monday, March 6).

Purim Carnival

Join us for costumes, games and fun! Please purchase your Purim Carnival Tickets in advance to help us plan—door sales will also be available. Food will be available for purchase. We break our Carnival into two age groups so please choose the time and option that works best for your family. 

Monday, March 6
4:30–5:30 PM Tots Carnival (Ages 5 and under with a parent)
5:30–6:00 PM Tots Megillah Reading
5:30–6:45 PM Carnival (School-age kids)

Click here to purchase Purim Carnival tickets.

The Whole Megillah...

Join us for the Megillah Reading (and evening Purim Service)
Monday, March 6
7:00 PM
Everyone in the congregation is invited to hear the story of Purim as our members read Megillat Esther! Cheer for Esther and Mordechai. Boo for Haman. Celebrate the miracle of Purim in this for-all-ages service which will include Purim song parodies, a costume parade and fun for everyone.

Tuesday, March 7
7:15 AM
Join us for the morning service, Torah readings and Megillah reading.

Seudah & Spiel

Tuesday, March 7
6:00 PM Purim Seudah Pizza Dinner (no charge)
7:00 PM Spiel Performance Beauty and the (Purim) Feast: A Purim Spiel 
New time announced! Please join us at 6:00 PM to celebrate Purim with dinner and entertainment by the magician Lorenzo the Great, followed by the second performance of our Purim Spiel. Co-hosted by B’nai Israel Men's Club and Sisterhood.

Matanot Levyonim (charitable gifts to those in need)
  • So What Else: Improving the lives of children and families living in underserved communities in our area.
  • Mazon: Fighting to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.
  • Federation – Turkey/Syria Fund: Providing vital aid to those in need after the devastating February 6th earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Mon, March 27 2023 5 Nisan 5783