A list of events for your Purim enjoyment
Get out your costumes and bring your appetites, because Purim arrives next week. Preceded by the Fast of Esther on Wednesday, the hamantashen-filled holiday begins Wednesday night. The Chronicle has compiled a list of festivities taking place throughout Jewish Pittsburgh, including readings of the Scroll of Esther and various Purim feasts.
Adat Shalom. Purim carnival Sunday, March 1 at 11 a.m. Moon bounce, games, crafts, lunch and hamantashen baked by congregants. There is no charge for the carnival. A suggested donation of $5 per person will go toward the tzedakah projects of the religious school and preschool classes. Family Megillah reading Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. Religious school students will present a Purim play and a costume parade. Adult reading of the “Whole Megillah” will take place concurrently in the library.
Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. Purim celebration on Wednesday, March 4. From 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Mincha/Maariv. Free pasta dinner for all, 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Birkat for all, 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Young family service, wine and cheese for adults, 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Hamantaschen, 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Full Megillah reading, 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Beth Samuel Jewish Center. Purim Party on Sunday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., beginning with Megillah reading followed by a party and dairy luncheon. Carnival games for the kids and games of chance for the adults. $10 per person includes carnival games, door-prize chances, buffet-style lunch and hamantaschen.
And on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. Leah Roshkovsky, a teacher at Yad Vashem in Israel, will present “Purim in the Ghetto” using a variety of multimedia including photos, personal accounts and diaries. This evening is made possible through Classrooms Without Borders and will include wine, coffee and hamantaschen. Contact Barbara Wilson, congregational administrator, at (724) 266-5238 or bethsamuel office@comcast.net for more information.
Congregation Beth Shalom. Purim celebration on Wednesday, March 4. Come in costume with groggers. Light refreshments will be served. Family Megillah reading 6:30 p.m. in Samuel and Minnie Hyman Ballroom. Full Megillah reading at 8 p.m. in Helfant Chapel. USY Purim Carnival, games, crafts, food and more on Sunday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the ballroom. $10 admission, $5 kids under 10, includes food and game tickets. To sponsor or volunteer, visit bethshalompgh.org/purim-carnival-sponsorship.
Congregation B’nai Abraham. Purim potluck dairy dinner Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m. followed by Shabbat service and Purim shpiel at 7:30 p.m. Call 724-287-5806 to RSVP for the dinner or for more information.
Chabad of Monroeville. A “Purim in the Palace!” royal feast with jewelry making, hamantashen and entertainment, Wednesday March 4 at 6:40 p.m. at 2715 Mosside Blvd. Monroeville. Contact 412-372-1000 or Chabad@Jewishmonroeville.com or visit Jewish-Monroeville.com for more information and to RSVP.
Chabad of Pittsburgh. Grand Purim Fest with Megillah reading and multimedia presentation, Chinese dinner, Purim crafts, entertainment by illusionist Dan Kuniak, music and dancing on Thursday, March 5 at 5 p.m. at 6401 Forbes Ave. $12 per adult, $6 per child. RSVP at chabadpgh.com/purimfest.
Chabad of the South Hills. Seniors lunch, Tuesday, March 3 at noon. Suggested donation, $5. Wheelchair accessible. Preregister with Barb at 412-278-2658.
Dor Hadash. Family-friendly Megillah reading on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dor Hadash building at Shady and Wilkins avenues. A modern, dramatic reading accessible to all ages, and with parts for the children; fun songs written by Dor Hadash families; classic Purim songs; a costume parade with prizes; a short social action presentation; and oneg with hamantaschen.
Friendship Circle. Celebrate Purim at the stadium. Come dressed in costume Thursday, March 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Megillah reading at 5 p.m. at Community Day School gym, 6424 Forward Ave. Bounce castle, Purim feast, hamantaschen, carnival stalls and talent show with special entertainment
Register for talent show and RSVP at fcpgh.org or contact rsvp@fcpgh.org or 412-224-4440 for more information.
J’Burgh. Purim party on Saturday, March 21 at Mullens on the North Shore. The theme is “Night at the Circus,” and tickets are $12. Strictly for the 21 to 29 age group. Dress in creative costume; there will be prizes. Contact laureng@jburgh.org for tickets and more information.
Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Family Purim Carnival: Under the Big Top, Sunday, March 1, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Irene Kaufmann Building. The after-party event, a live reptile show, will be from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parents can enjoy a free Centergy group fitness class while their children 5-and-older are at the show. Tickets must be purchased. Contact Meredith Brown at 412-697-3520 or mbrown@jccpgh.org for more information.
Lubavitch Center. Megillah reading and special kids’ program Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. On Thursday, March 5, Megillah readings at 6:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. 11:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. Grand Purim seudah at 5 p.m. Call 412-422-7315, ext. 0 for reservations.
New Light Congregation. Light supper before Megillah reading Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. The Megillah reading is at 7 p.m. To get information or make reservations for the supper, contact Barbara Caplan at 412-521-4332. No reservations needed for the Megillah reading. Costumes are optional.
Poale Zedeck. Purim seudah on Thursday, March 5 at 5:45 p.m. RSVP PZ office by March 3 at 9 a.m. at 412-421-9786. Magician and photo booth. Seudah $25 for adults, $15 children, family maximum, $100.
Rodef Shalom Congregation. Purim carnival, Sunday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games and prizes. Costumes are optional. Brotherhood’s hot dog lunch and the Family Center’s hamantaschen sale. Family-friendly shpiel at 10:40 a.m. Family Friday on Wacky Wednesday, March 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a breakfast-for-dinner potluck, singing and activities. All families with kids
fourth grade and younger are invited. Bring a side dish to share, and RSVP to Mimsie Leyton at leyton@rodefshalom.org or 412-621-6566, ext.127. Queen Esther’s Cabaret — A Purim Masquerade on Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m., cocktails at 8 p.m. Dancing until 11 p.m. Adults only. Visit rodefshalom.org/purim for tickets, which are $25 in advance, $35 at the door or $50 VIP open bar.
Shaare Torah. Persian-themed Purim seudah on Thursday, March 5 at 5 p.m. The cooking will be led by Shaare Torah Sephardic Minyan. Vegetarian options will be available. Multimedia family trivia competition with prizes on Thursday, March 5 at 5 p.m. in the Social Hall. Prices for seudah and trivia: ages 12 and above, $19; ages 3 to 11, $12; family maximum, $70. Trivia-only: adults 12 and up, $5; children 3 to 11, $3. Scholarships are available; speak to Rabbi Wasserman or to Jonathan Young. Sponsorship donations are welcome. RSVP to office@shaaretorah.net or 412-421-8855 no later than March 1.
South Hills Community. Hosted by Beth El Congregation, Temple Emanuel, South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh and JCC-South Hills. Purim Carnival, Sunday, March 8 from 12:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center South Hills. Call Beth El at 412-561-1168, Temple Emanuel at 412-279-7600 or JCC at 412-2781975 for advance ticket sales and more information.
Temple David. Queen Esther’s Masquerade from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 8. Food, games, prizes and hamantashen. Activities include raffle baskets, a photo booth, a special 5-and-under carnival area, a costume contest and more.
Temple Emanuel of South Hills. Family Purim pizza party Wednesday, March 4 at 5:45 p.m. Call 412-279-7600 to RSVP. Adults and children over 12 are $5 each, children under 12 no charge. Costume parade and contest, 6:15 p.m. Megillah reading and Purim shpiel “Annie” at 6:30 p.m. Dessert of hamantaschen follows. Contact 412-279-7600 or visit temple-emanuelpgh.org for more information.
Temple Ohav Shalom, Allison Park. Telling of the Purim story, a costume parade and a Purim shpiel, “Chai School Musical,” written, produced and performed by religious school students on Sunday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. Purim
carnival, bake sale (Esther’s Edibles) and a lunch or snack at Shushan Café from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adult Purim shpiel, “A Hard Day’s Night Purim,” Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Costumes, food and beverages. Contact Ellen Sapinkopf 724-799-8193 or esapinkopf@zoominternet. net for more information and to RSVP.
Temple Sinai. Purim shpiel, “Les Megilables” on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:15 p.m. Costume parade and contest and hamantashen bake-off, followed by a French-themed oneg. Free and open to the public. Call 412-421-9715, ext. 121 for more information.
Tree of Life Congregation in Morgantown, W.Va. Purim children’s carnival Saturday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. Megillah reading and Purim shpiel, “Little Orphan Esther” at 6:30 p.m., and adult-oriented after party at 7:30 p.m.
Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation. Megillah reading featuring the “In Your Seat Raffle” on Wednesday, March 4 at 5:15 p.m. Free hot dog dinner 6:30 p.m. Open to all ages. Sunday, March 8 open house from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mini Mensch, pre-K to first grade, and Toddler & Me. Purim carnival, 10 a.m. to noon, $10 per family. Contact Alex Speck at aspeck88@yahoo.com or call 412-521-6788 for more information for Purim activities and Karen Morris at ksmorris92@gmail.com or 412-521-6788 about the Open House.
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