What is Purim?

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 . . .
Adar 15, 5773 / February 24, 2013
What is 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.
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.
9:30-11:30am
Family Connections
Free for families with 0-to-3-year-olds and their siblings
Purim Costume Party! Music, art, cooking and parent education.
RSVP to Melody: mhorowitz@marinjcc.org
11:30am-2:30pm
Purim Palooza
FREE Family Carnival for All Ages
Outdoor Courtyard
• Carnival Games & Bounce House
a family carnival!
free
Sun, February 24
marinjcc.org/purim
®
Bring ble
Hoytt Theater
erisha kah
-p
n
o
N
eda
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•
Delicious
Food for Purchase
T
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f
Food
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• Performance by Buki the Clown
(charit
• 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
20 0 N. San pedro Rd, San R afael | 415.444.80 0 0 | MARINJCC.ORG /PURIM
E v e r y t h i n g
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What are the traditions of Purim?
Reading the Megillat Esther
The 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 threecornered 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.
Hamantashen
Recipe
4 ½ c. flour
¾ c. sugar
3 eggs
¾ c. butter
½ tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
¾ c. orange juice
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...
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.
Mohn (Poppy seed filling)
2 c. poppy seed, finely ground
1 egg
1/3 c. honey or sugar
1 Tbl. lemon juice
¼ 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.