a family carnival!

free

Sun, February 24marinjcc.org/purim

Purim celebrates the events described in the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther). It is a tale of an all-powerful king, a beautiful and courageous heroine, a loyal cousin

and a villain who is foiled by his own evil plans. The story has a familiar theme: the unlikely triumph of the Jews against a tyrannical enemy who sought to destroy them. The word Purim means “lots” and refers to the casting of lots to determine the day that the Jews were to be destroyed by the evil Haman. The custom is to blot out his name by drowning it with noise every time it is mentioned in the Megillat Esther.

E v E r y t h i n g y o u a l w a y s w a n t E d t o k n o w a b o u t . . .

What is Purim?

How is it Celebrated?On Purim, Jews go to synagogue to hear the reading of the Megillat Esther. Additionally, Purim is celebrated by having a feast featuring much food and drink, by masquerades, and by making fun of everything.

This tradition is explained in the Scroll itself where it says: “and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to

joy, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy...” (Esther 9:22) In the Purim story everything gets turned

upside down.

It is also customary to give mishloach manot (gifts to friends) and tzedakah (charity) to at least two needy recipients.

adar 15, 5773 / February 24, 2013

200 N. SaN pedro rd, SaN rafael | 415.444.8000 | MarINJCC.orG/pUrIM

®

9:30-11:30am family Connections

Free for families with 0-to-3-year-olds and their siblingsPurim Costume Party! Music, art, cooking and parent education.

RSVP to Melody: mhorowitz@marinjcc.org

11:30am-2:30pmPurim Palooza

free family Carnival for All Ages

OutdOOr COurtyArd•Carnival games & bounce house

HOytt tHeAter•delicious Food for Purchase

•Performance by buki the Clown•brandeis hillel day school band

•Congregation kol shofar Purim shpiel (exerpt)• JChs a Capella Performance from Jew Man group

gAllery•Purim stories with the PJ library®

lObby & Atrium• JCC Camp kehillah Prize station

•balloon animals & Face Painting with buki the Clown•arts & Crafts

bring

Non-perishable

food for tzedakah

(charity)

E v E r y t h i n g y o u a l w a y s w a n t E d t o k n o w a b o u t . . .

What are the traditions of Purim?

reading the Megillat EstherThe Purim story is read on the evening of the 14th of Adar. Often no one can hear the story very well while it is being read because every time the name “Haman” is said, everyone tries to drown his name out with noisemakers called groggers.

Megillah readings will occur: Congregation Kol Shofar, Feb 24 @ 9:15am

Congregation Rodef Sholom, Feb 24 @ 10am

What is a Hamantashen? A Hamantashen is the famous three-

cornered cookie with a sweet filling. Jam, poppy seeds, and prunes make up some of the most popular fillings. The triangle shape

symbolizes Haman’s three-cornered hat.

Mix ingredients and refrigerate overnight. Roll out on wax paper until ¼ inch thick. Cut 3-inch diameter circles. Place a teaspoon of filling in the center and bring the sides together to form a triangle. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 375 degrees until golden brown (15-20 minutes). Makes 24.

Filling: use jam, or mix ½ lb. Prunes with ¼ c. strawberry jam in a food processor. Or try making your own poppy seed filling...

Mohn (Poppy seed filling)2 c. poppy seed, finely ground1 egg1/3 c. honey or sugar 1 Tbl. lemon juice¼ c. chopped nuts

Wash the seeds well, them grind them in a food processor or place the seeds in a cloth and pound them with a mallet. Mix with the remaining ingredients.

Hamantashen recipe

4 ½ c. flour¾ c. sugar

3 eggs¾ c. butter½ tsp. salt

3 tsp. baking powder¾ c. orange juice

Giving tzedakah (giving to those in need)Purim, as a holiday of free flowing joy, includes giving freely to those in need. The gifts can be food, money, clothing, or whatever one can give. The tradition is to give at least two gifts to at least two needy recipients.

Bring non-perishable food items, like peanut butter, rice or canned produce for the JFCS Food Pantry.Barrels located in the JCC lobby year-round

Gifts to Friends (Mishloach Manot)Sending gifts to friends is another tradition. These gifts usually include hamantashen. Be creative and add nuts, fruit, chocolate and cakes.