Temple Or Elohim presented a very active Purim celebration this year. Beginning with the temple’s new Familyhood, chaired by Jodi Breslin and Steve Finklestein, several families gathered for a fun Hamentashen making activity.
There were more than 50 people eating, decorating and cooking a multitude of these holiday delicacies from ages 4 to 50.
The following week, the temple had the Temple Band Shabbat featuring the band Nishamah, Megillah reading and Rocking Purim Spiel. Rabbi Harvey Abramowitz was the narrator, Cantor David Katz was Mordechai, director of education Deborah Tract was Queen Esther, Susan McCarthy was Haman, Dean Abramowitz was King Antiochus and Melissa Goldstein was Queen Vashti. Who knew that Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker” or Heart’s “What About Love” could be used to tell the story of perseverance, defiance and triumph. The band rocked the entire evening. A night to remember by the crowd of over 130 who attended.
The event on Sunday, March 8 commenced with the amazing and educational Living Wax Museum. There was Albert Einstein, comic writer Stan Lee, football player Julian Edelman, actress Natalie Portman and many more guests.
The religious school fifth grade students wowed everyone with their knowledge of these famous Jewish people. All in attendance were so proud of them.
Afterwards, the Purim Carnival began. The ballroom was bursting with energy as DJ Pace Entertainment spun the latest popular songs. He and his spunky dancer got the energy level high during the event with games and dances. Operation Fun provided a bounce house unique to their company that was filled throughout the day.
Raffle prizes ranging from restaurants to spa gifts certificates to jewels were amongst the winnings available. The grand prizes this year included a Go Pro, white Topaz necklace, and an iPad mini. Shushan Palace, the game –prize booth, was stocked with the newest and best gifts for all ages. All that was necessary to win a prize was to play a game, enter the Chinese auction or grand prize drawing. The carnival was the largest fundraiser in recent history and was a huge success.
Last but not least, the Jewish Drum Tales visited the religious school on March 10 bringing the story of Purim to the Kindergarten through third grade classes. They learned through music, interactive imagination, song, dance and mesmerizing entertainment the holiday’s story.
