Purim, falls on the fourteenth of the Hebrew month of Adar, this year beginning on Wednesday evening, March 23rd. It is a celebration of the events described in the Scroll of Esther. The holiday with its joyous carnival-like atmosphere focuses on one of the main themes in Jewish history, the survival of the Jewish people despite the attempts of their enemies to destroy them.
The story of Purim is about hunger for power and anti-Semitism born of the Jewish commitment to serve a higher authority. It has been repeated many times, making it both an ancient and modern story.
Purim recalls the dangers of minority status, and in so many places and times hatred and prejudice was directed at the Jewish people in particular. Anti-Semitism has not disappeared, but in many ways we have nowhere near the same fears that our ancestors shared. Yet, hatred of the foreigner and the stranger is still prevalent throughout the world, so the holiday reminds us to make sure that others do not experience the darkest experiences of our history.
Purim, however, is most of all a happy story--a story of survival and triumph over evil. We are reminded to never give up hope, and that help can come from the most unlikely of places. And Purim teaches us that stripped of power, the things that frighten us can become a source of humor, and laughter.
Join us for our Purim Carnival Sunday, March 20th from 10:30am -1pm at Temple Beth Ami. We also look forward to seeing you on Wednesday night, March 23rd at 7 pm, as we celebrate Purim with our special Spiel, a musical celebration featuring Wendee and some very talented, or at the very least, well intentioned TBA players. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume and let loose.
Be Joyous, It’s Purim!
The story of Purim is about hunger for power and anti-Semitism born of the Jewish commitment to serve a higher authority. It has been repeated many times, making it both an ancient and modern story.
Purim recalls the dangers of minority status, and in so many places and times hatred and prejudice was directed at the Jewish people in particular. Anti-Semitism has not disappeared, but in many ways we have nowhere near the same fears that our ancestors shared. Yet, hatred of the foreigner and the stranger is still prevalent throughout the world, so the holiday reminds us to make sure that others do not experience the darkest experiences of our history.
Purim, however, is most of all a happy story--a story of survival and triumph over evil. We are reminded to never give up hope, and that help can come from the most unlikely of places. And Purim teaches us that stripped of power, the things that frighten us can become a source of humor, and laughter.
Join us for our Purim Carnival Sunday, March 20th from 10:30am -1pm at Temple Beth Ami. We also look forward to seeing you on Wednesday night, March 23rd at 7 pm, as we celebrate Purim with our special Spiel, a musical celebration featuring Wendee and some very talented, or at the very least, well intentioned TBA players. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume and let loose.
Be Joyous, It’s Purim!
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