Welcome to Purim at Congregation Neveh Shalom!
From megillah readings and festive gatherings to volunteering and other opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re dressing up, pitching in, or simply showing up, there’s a place for you. Esther set the bar; the rest of us are doing our best.
Purim Carnival 2026
Monday, March 2, 4:00 – 5:45pm
Young families—jump into classic carnival fun with games, arts & crafts, a bounce house, face-painting, dancing, and more! Best suited for ages 0–2nd grade and older siblings.
Tickets:
$54/family (CNS Members & FS Families) | $72/family (Non-Members)
Volunteers needed to help with crafts and games! Please email Candace: crothstein@nevehshalom.org
Prom Night Dinner & Drinks
6:00pm – 6:45pm
Join us for a casual pre-Megillah dinner featuring pizza bagels, chips & dips, crudité, desserts, drinks, and of course hamentaschen.
Pricing:
Free – Infants (0–3)
$12/Child 3+ (Member/FS) | $15/Child 3+ (Non-Member)
$18/Adult (Member/FS) | $25/Adult (Non-Member)
$54/Family Max (Member/FS) | $72/Family Max (Non-Member)
Purim celebration costs should not be a barrier to participation for CNS congregants—please reach out to Lisa Richmond, Program Director (lrichmond@nevehshalom.org), or consider becoming a Purim Patron to help support others.
Megillah Reading
6:45pm -8:30pm
The evening concludes with a Megillah reading complete with groggers, costumes, and full Purim spirit. The Megillah reading is open to the community. No RSVP required.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Purim is a big, joyful holiday. It takes a community to make it happen! If you’re able to lend a hand, we’d love your help with any of the opportunities below.
Purim Program for Holocaust Survivor Community
Co-sponsored by JFCS & CNS
Thursday, February 26, 1-3pm
Help us with a true mitzvah as we welcome JFCS Holocaust survivors for a hamentaschen-making experience. Volunteers are needed to prep, roll out dough, tend to the oven, and simply schmooze with our guests.
Please contact Lisa Richmond to volunteer.
Hamentaschen Baking
Tuesday, February 17, 10-3pm
Join Morah Jennifer in the kitchen for some mitzvah-driven hamantaschen making.
Contact Jennifer Kalenscher: jenkal@comcast.net
Hamentaschen Box Prep
Friday, February 20, 10-12pm
Help assemble our boxes so they’re as beautiful as the hamantaschen are delicious.
Contact Lisa Richmond: lrichmond@nevehshalom.org
Hamentaschen Delivery Drivers
February 23-27
Grab some boxes from CNS, and help distribute them to our senior congregants in your neighborhood.
Contact Lisa Richmond: lrichmond@nevehshalom.org
Purim Carnival Volunteers
Monday, March 2, 2-5pm
Help make this year’s carnival a joyful event for our kids and young families! Assist with decorating, setting up stations, running activities, handing out tickets & prizes.
Please email Candace: crothstein@nevehshalom.org
Morning Minyan Megillah Reading
Tuesday, March 3, 7:00am
Come hear the Megillah at morning Minyan!
Become a Purim Patron!
Bring the joy of Purim to every generation! Your donation helps create meaningful Purim experiences, from baking hamantaschen with Holocaust survivors to a magical Megillah reading, a festive carnival for young families, college care packages, Mishloach Manot for seniors, and more. Give today and help spread the spirit of Purim far and wide!
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.”
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.
Purim is the Feast of Lots, and is observed on the 14th day of Adar. Told in the Book of Esther, Purim recounts the story of Queen Esther saving the Jewish people from Haman, a royal advisor who had plans to destroy them. Purim is celebrated with the giving of gifts to friends and the poor, dressing in costume, and the reading of the Megillah. Hamantaschen are traditionally baked in preparation for the holiday.
