Purim Family Carnival on March 4

Purim Family Carnival - Open to the Public!
Sunday March 4, 11am-1pm
Temple Beth Shalom, 21 East Foster Street, Melrose

Carnival games, Photo booth, Prizes, Raffle, and Bake Sale!
$10 per child for unlimited carnival game play, $25 maximum per family
Lunch available for purchase
Costumes are encouraged!

“Purim is one of the most fun holidays celebrated by the Jewish people - a little bit of Mardi Gras, Easter, and Halloween all rolled into one. It is also customary for children (and adults, if they desire) to dress up in costumes that make the holiday so fun.” States Sara Serisky, Melrose resident and Purim Carnival chair.

Purim commemorates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from execution to the Persian king. The holiday itself is known for a party atmosphere, with big feasts. One of the best treats for Purim are hamantaschen: triangle-shaped cookie pastries with fruit or savory filling such as poppy seed, chocolate, date, apricot or apple filling.

During Purim, there are often carnivals, with revelers dressing up, dancing and having parades. Kids have tons of fun at these events, doing crafts, playing games and making noise-makers. Carnival attendees enjoy showing off their costumes.

Also, Purim tradition is to send out baskets of food and drink to the Temple community. They look kind of like Easter baskets because they are to be filled with food that is ready to eat — pastries, candy, chips, and other snack foods certainly count. “We get a chance to tell our friends we’re thinking of them, while at the same time raising money to support our synagogue!” said Serena Brown, Melrose resident and chair of the Purim baskets.

Temple Beth Shalom is a Reform Jewish Synagog serving about 85 families from communities including Malden, Melrose, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham and Wakefield. In addition to religious services, Shalom School, adult Torah study and Sisterhood book group, knitting group and mah jongg group are available.

For more information, email rabbiallison@gmail.com or visit tbsma.org or call 781-665-4520.