Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a major victory over oppression. On Purim, Jews are commanded to hear the story of that victory as recounted in the Megillah (the Book of Esther), but also to eat, drink, be merry, to give to charity and to share gifts of food. Shomrei Torah, its Men’s Club, Sisterhood, Youth Groups and Religious School, join together to sponsor events to accomplish all of those goals.
Holiday festivities begin on Wednesday, March 7 at 5:45 pm with a Megillah Reading for Tots - young children and their families. Next is the Purim Carnival starting at 6:30 pm with games and prizes and loads of fun. During the Carnival, there will be food for sale and a Passover Wine Tasting for the adults. This latter event gives credence to the old Jewish expression: “If Purim is here, Passover can’t be far behind!”
Immediately following the Carnival is the Family Friendly Megillah reading beginning at 8:00 pm.
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Everyone is encouraged to come in costume and be ready to make a lot of noise every time the name of the villain, “Haman,” is mentioned!
There is no admission charge for any of the events. Tickets for Carnival games and food are sold separately at reasonable prices. The festival continues the next morning, Thursday, March 8 with services at beginning at 9:00 am.
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On Purim, Jews are also commanded to send out gifts of food or drink referred to as shalach manot. The traditional treat at Purim is hamentaschen), triangular fruit-filled cookies. Each year, Shomrei Torah’s Sisterhood bakes tons of hamentaschen and then adds all other kinds of other goodies to put into “shalach manot” baskets to be delivered by Sisterhood members to every congregant and their friends, this year on Sunday, March 4. Anyone wishing to order shalach manot baskets from Sisterhood should place their orders no later than February 24. The cost is $54 for the first basket and $10 for each additional basket. Free delivery is made in Wayne. Orders for those outside of Wayne would have to be picked up at the synagogue on Sunday morning.
Shomrei Torah is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue whose focus is on learning and study, worship and celebration, ethical action and social justice, fellowship and a sense of community. For additional information about the Congregation or Purim festivities, please contact the synagogue office at 973-696-2500 or office@ShomreiTorahWCC.org or view the synagogue's website at www.ShomreiTorahWCC.org. Follow Shomrei Torah on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/shomreitorahwcc) and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ShomreiTorah).
