Purim
Purim
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Get dolled up, grab your favorite accessories and celebrate a very pink Purim with Central's clergy team.
Barbies and Kens of all ages are invited to walk the pink carpet for a range of programming that's as fun and fabulous as Barbie herself.
Purim Carnivals
Quiet Purim Carnival (ages 2 and below)
Sunday, March 24, 10:00–10:30 am | Pavilion
Enjoy a fun and relaxed carnival atmosphere with a smaller crowd and quieter games. Open to the public. No registration is required.
Purim Carnival for Younger Children (grades 2 and below)
Sunday, March 24, 10:30 am–12:00 pm | Pavilion
Geared toward young children, there will be games, food, face painting, and mitzvah opportunities. Don't miss out on getting your photo taken at our Barbie Photo Booth! Open to the public. No registration is required.
Purim Carnival for Older Children (grades 3 and up)
Sunday, March 24, 10:30 am–12:00 pm | Lese Lobby
A “big kids” Purim carnival featuring pizza, arcade games, and the chance to step into a Barbie Photo Booth for a glamorous shoot. Open to the public. No registration is required.
Children's Purim Spiel, Megillah Reading, and Clergy Performances (all ages)
Sunday, March 24, 12:00 pm | Main Sanctuary & Livestream
Enjoy a Barbie Purim performance by Central's very own children’s spiel troupe! Then, watch as our Clergy, dressed as different Barbies and Kens, take the stage and sing their hearts out. Open to the public. No registration is required.
Purim Programs for Adults
The Purim Pantry Project: Help Feed Those in Need
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 5:30–6:30 pm
In Person (Community House)
Children's Purim Spiel, Megillah Reading, and Clergy Performances (all ages)
Sunday, March 24, 12:00 pm
In Person & Livestream
About Purim
Purim, the “upside down” holiday, is a joyous and playful one-day holiday that falls during the Hebrew month of Adar (usually late February and/or March). On Purim, we commemorate the story told in the book of Esther in which Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai saved the Jews of Persia from an antisemitic plot devised by the evil Haman, advisor to King Ahashverosh. This book, also called the Megillah (scroll), is unique among other sacred texts in that it is considered a parody or a satire, and does not mention God.
At Central, Purim provides those of all ages with an opportunity for celebration and fun. Happenings include a Kriat Megillah, or rowdy and silly reading of the Megillah wherein listeners “blot out” Haman’s name with noisemakers (groggers) and “booing”; mishloach manot or the sending gifts (often food) to friends; matanat l’evyonim or the giving gifts to the poor; and seudat mitzvah, a festive meal, and dressing up in costumes.