Purim Set to Begin at Sundown

Wednesday night at sundown officially marks the start of Purim, the Jewish holiday that celebrates Queen Esther’s triumph over the evil Haman who plotted to exterminate the Jewish people of ancient Persia.

For most families, Purim is a fun celebration that not only involves reading from scrolls and dining with loved ones, but also sees children dress up as the characters to act out the ancient stories. Having fun with a grogger is also a mainstay of Purim. Every time the name, “Haman” is mentioned in readings (54 times), everyone is supposed to make as much noise as possible to symbolize the act of drowning out his name.

Another favorite of the holiday is the Hamantaschen, a three-corned pastry with a tasty filling.

VIDEO: How to make your own Hamantaschen.

[More on Purim: Rabbi Moshe Waldoks’ article on Huffington Post]

The four main mitzvot (obligations) of the day are:

1. Listening to the public reading, usually in synagogue, of the Book of Esther in the evening and again in the following morning (k'riat megillah)
2. Sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot)
3. Giving charity to the poor (matanot la'evyonim)
4. Eating a festive meal (se`udah)

LOCAL SERVICES

Beth Sholom Congregation

8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA

(215) 887-1342

• Wed: Erev Purim (all day)
• Thu: Service Megillah Readings, 9 am - noon

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(215) 677-1600

• Wed: Erev Purim; Family Megillah Reading, 7 p.m.

Old York Road Temple- Beth Am

971 Old York Road, Abington, PA

(215) 886-8000

• Thu: SOEL Purim Celebration, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Adath Jeshurun Congregation

7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA

(215) 635-6611

Wednesday:

• Pre-Purim Dinner, 5:00 p.m.
• Evening Minhah, 5:40 p.m.
• Family Megillah Service and Havdalah, 6:00 p.m.
• Purim Carnival, following service
• Ma'ariv and Full Reading of Megillah, 8:30 p.m.

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA

(215) 887-8700

• Wed: Family Reading and Megillah Reading, 7 p.m.