Purim Happenings 5783

Happy Purim!

We hope you will join us for one or more of our wonderful Purim happenings!

Please note that the dinner is now sold out.

A Festive Fundraiser in FIVE Parts

Purim is a holiday marked by merriment, giving to others, costumes and fun; all of which are elevated by the festive feel of being in community.

This year for our annual spring fundraiser, we are having some PURIM FUN in FIVE parts on Monday, March 6 with:

1. Mishloach Manot (gift baskets) for all our members
2. an online silent auction
3. a young family carnival
4. a family-friendly community dinner,
5. a shpiel, mitzvah moment, and Megillah reading

Let’s celebrate together the holiday of Purim at this moment in time as we mark Vashti’s boldness, Esther’s bravery, Mordechai’s defiance, Achashverosh’s leadership, and Haman’s failure.

We look forward to seeing you!
-Clergy, leadership, and staff of Neveh Shalom

Mishloach Manot Gift baskets

This year, we are excited to be giving EVERY Neveh Shalom member and Foundation School family a Mishloach Manot gift basket.

Please visit the form to:

• Let us know your pick-up options for your family’s basket
• If your family would like gluten-free options
• Opt out if you do not want a gift basket
• Become a PURIM PATRON (more below)
• Upgrade a member’s basket to an enhanced basket
• Send a non-member or college student a basket

Purim Patron

Become a PURIM PATRON today to ensure that EVERY Neveh Shalom household will receive a Mishloach Manot basket for Purim!

In place of our usual auction sponsors, we are asking members to become Purim Patrons, which will help us raise needed funds for our education programs while also providing each of our members with a basket of delicacies. We have patron levels from $36 to $18,000, and options in between.

Purim Happenings on Monday, March 6

Young Family Carnival (Ages 0-5 and Siblings)

Monday, March 6, 3:00-5:30pm

All families with children ages 0-5 (and their siblings!) are invited for a super fun carnival to help spread joy and raise funds for the CNS educational programming. Enjoy carnival games, bounce house, face painting, photo booth and Purim crafts. Tickets will get you access to all the special fun and yummy carnival treats. Purchase tickets early online for a discount.

Families are invited to also stay and sign up for the community Purim dinner which starts at 5:00pm (see below).

Please note that the dinner is now sold out.

Community Purim Dinner and Costume Contest

Monday, March 6, 5:00-6:15pm (Costume contest at 5:30pm)

Everyone is invited to join the community for a delicious, family-friendly, kosher buffet provided by Century Catering.

During the dinner, at 5:30pm, we will hold our costume contest for littles, biggers, teens, adults, and everyone in-between. Be sure to dress up and join in the fun!

Purim Morning Minyan with Megillah Reading

Tuesday, March 7, 7:00am, in person in the Zidell Chapel and on Zoom

Join Morning Minyan for our Purim service with Megillah reading. Join us either in person or online.

Here is the login: https://zoom.us/j/774655517
Password: Neveh

Send a Purim Package to Your College Kid

Sign-up by February 17

This year, you can order Purim packages for your college kids through our Mishloach Manot Gift baskets form. Click on the option called “Mail a Mishloach Manot Box” to get started.

If you have questions, please e-mail mcaplan@nevehshalom.org.

The 4 Mitzvot of Purim

Megillah: On Purim, the Megillah is read aloud in synagogues all over the world – and this is one time when no one is discouraged from making noise during the service! In fact, listeners shake their groggers (Yiddish for “noisemakers”) every time they hear the name of the villain of the story, Haman. This tradition is passed down L’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, as a means of remembering the lessons learned from persecution and celebrating the fact that our Kehillah, our community, has continued to thrive through today.  You can find different English interpretations of the megillah online and be sure to join our community for the reading on Purim!

Mishlo’ach Manot: The second mitzvah is sending gifts, or mishlo’ach manot which is Hebrew for “sending food,” usually in the form of Purim gift baskets. Gifts of food to friends and colleagues ensure that everyone has the means to be happy, further foiling the evil plans of Haman. Sending gifts to our friends is a beautiful way to celebrate K’lal, the value of inclusivity, making sure every person feels the joy of Purim and of being included in the Kehillah, community.

Se’udat Purim: In addition to the purim spiel, (the playful part of Purim), which usually includes telling the story, a costume parade, and baking or eating hamantaschen, many families also enjoy the Se’udah, or the Purim feast. This commandment is to “eat, drink, and be merry.” This mitzvah is the hardest to maintain this year because it is so difficult to safely gather in Kehillah (community).  As a people we have had to constantly grow and innovate, create chiddush, or new ways of celebrating.  We invite you to think of one creative way you can have a Purim feast this year and share it with us!

Matanot L’evyonim: Directly giving to those experiencing poverty, matanot l’evyonim, is the fourth mitzvah. Giving to others, especially on Purim, ensures that everyone in our kehillah (community) has the means to celebrate during the holiday and honors Esther and Mordechai’s legacy of saving the Jewish people. Fulfilling the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim  can be as simple as dropping coins into a tzedakah box or making donations of food or clothing to a local pantry or shelter.