graphic courtesy of freepik.com, clipart library and the Library of Congress
Purim starts on March 23. I usually continue these annual blog posts by glibly remarking on Jews celebrating yet another failed persecution attempt. I’m not sure I’ll ever be in those spirits any time soon, and if you’re facing difficulties, too, here’s an article from JTA.
On Purim, people of all ages dress up, eat special sweets and wave noisemakers called groggers. Jews are called to listen to the Megillah (the book of Esther) and most communities follow the reading with a parody performance.
GatherDC has already compiled a variety of DC-area events for before, during and after Purim here! Allow me to add to their list, thanks to jconnect.
Wednesday, March 20
HerTorah: Strength Through Togetherness
Zoom event through SVIVAH to learn about Esther in solidarity with the hostages in Gaza.
Friday, March 22
Purim with a Twist!
For Etz Hayim families with young children, a Shabbat service with prayers, songs, a story and more.
Saturday, March 23: Erev Purim!
Oseh Shalom Purim Dinner
Featuring dinner, a wine tasting, and other events for kids and adults before the Megillah reading and spiel!
Sunday, March 24: Purim!
Early Childhood Purim: A Sensory-Friendly Experience
Join Shaare Torah for crafts, an interactive reading of the Megillah, a mitzvah project and treats! Costumes encouraged but not required. Meant to minimize the noise but maximize the fun.
Sunday, March 31
Sunday Funday: Celebrate Passover with Auntie A!
Auntie A from Rhythm n’Ruach promises a fun morning at the Edlavitch DCJCC for families with young kids! Featuring music and movement followed by a chance to shmooze.
***
The Adas Purim shpiel is, unsurprisingly, covered on GatherDC, but I thought I’d give a little bit of a behind-the-scenes take. I’m singing in the chorus, and the theme this year is Barbie! I wrote earlier about somberness this holiday season, but there is still room, not just for joy but for the “raw, unedited realness” of life, as Adas puts it.
…perhaps not the first thing you’d think of in regards to the Barbie movie, but we’re going all in on the theme of shirking off the “pink and perfect world” for something a little more challenging. One thing that sticks out to me, as we’re signing our rendition of “Dance the Night,” is that we’re supposed to admire Vashti for challenging the status quo. We don’t always imagine Vashti so complexly during the sphiel, especially while singing with such pep! 😛
Elsewhere, Esther sings “Closer to Fine” by the Indigo Girls, an ode to embracing insecurity that I’ve loved since forever. I think we encompass it all here—an unusually nuanced narrative for Purim AND a lot of energy. 😛 I’ll be wearing my ‘80s aerobics clothes and waiting for you-know-who to belt out the Ken song! 😛 Join us in person or online Saturday night!
Chag Purim Sameach.
JewishDC 