PURIM CHECK-LIST
1) Listen to the Megillah - To relive the miraculous events of Purim, listen to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther). At certain points in the reading where Haman's name is mentioned, it is customary to twirl groggers (Purim noisemakers) and stamp one's feet to drown out his name. Tell the children that on Purim it's a mitzvah to make noise! [MEGILLAH READING & COSTUME CONTEST, Wednesday, March 23rd, 7:00 pm. This year at Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos] 2) Give to the Needy (Matanot La'evyonim) Concern for the needy is a year-round responsibility; but on Purim it is a special mitzvah to remember the poor. Give charity to at least two (but preferably more) needy individuals on Purim day, Thursday, March 24th. The mitzvah is best fulfilled by giving directly to the needy. If, however, you cannot find poor people, place at least two coins into a charity box. As with the other mitzvahs of Purim, even small children should fulfill this mitzvah. 3) Send Food Portions to Friends (Mishloach Manot / Shalach Manos) On Purim we emphasize the importance of unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends. Send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g., pastry, fruit, beverage), to at least one or two friends. It is preferable that the gifts are delivered via a third party. Children, in addition to sending their own gifts of food to their friends, make enthusiastic messengers. 4) Eat, Drink and be Merry Purim should be celebrated with a special festive meal on Purim Day, at which family and friends gather together to rejoice in the Purim spirit. It is a custom to drink wine or other inebriating drinks at this meal. As part of the general celebration of the month: [ANNUAL PURIM SKATING PARTY, FAMILY LEARN & MUNCHKIN MINYAN: Sunday, March 20th, at 4:30 pm, at the Roller Skating Palladium, Seabright Ave. in Santa Cruz. $10/skater; max $25 per family, in advance. ($12/skater; max $30 family, at the door). RSVP to Sarah Brown at: sarah@vogmask.com by March 13th. *** We need a commitment from 30 skaters to make this event happen ***] Purim Customs: Masquerades and Hamantashen
A time-honored Purim custom is for children to dress up and disguise themselves - an allusion to the fact that the miracle of Purim was disguised in natural garments. This is also the significance behind a traditional Purim food, the hamantash - a pastry whose filling is hidden within a three-cornered crust. The Story: Purim, celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, commemorates the story of the Book of Esther. In the story, the Persian empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects. When King Ahasuerus had his wife, Queen Vashti, banished for failing to follow his orders, he orchestrated a beauty pageant to find a new queen. A young Jewish woman, Esther, found favor in his eyes and became the new queen-though she refused to divulge the identity of her nationality. Meanwhile, the anti-Semitic Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews (and Esther's cousin) defied the king's orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed and convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar-a date chosen by a lottery Haman made. Mordechai galvanized all the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast and pray to G-d. Meanwhile, Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a feast. At the feast, Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity. Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree was issued-granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies. On the day after, the Jews celebrated and instituted the holiday of Purim.
{Borrowed and modified from Chabad.org}
Thursday, April 14th at 7 pm
[We will study selected texts from Jewish tradition of interest to those in the health care professions] All are Welcome To RSVP and for event location, please contact Rabbi Eli or 831-295-8467 “The physician should not treat the disease, but the patient suffering from it."
CELEBRATING FREEDOM! RSVP for CHADEISH YAMEINU COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER
On Saturday, April 23 (6:00-8:00 pm), we will joyfully hold our ANNUAL COMMUNITY PESACH SEDER The potluck meal will be vegetarian. (See details below).
Here's how we can help: • RSVP NO LATER THAN APRIL16th to: Rose Lobel at roselobel@gmail.com. Indicate how many people will be coming with you. [$6 per member; $12 per non-member]. • Send in your check, made out to "Chadeish Yameinu," notate that it is for the seder and send to: Rose Lobel, 890 38th Avenue #105, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. • HELP! Contact Akiva at: akindele_bankole@yahoo.com or at 831-331-7867 to help with: set up [we need 8 people], clean up [we need 8 people], greeting & receiving food items [we need 3 people] FOOD: The potluck meal will be vegetarian. Remember it also needs to be Kosher for Passover. Be sure to label your dishes with your name, whether it is vegan or vegetarian and also if your dish is Sephardi or Ashkenazi. (See below). Bring a serving for at least four people. Potluck requests for last name beginning with: A through F – Desserts or Charoset G through L - Main dishes M through Q - Hot or cold side dishes R through U - Kosher wine or grape juice V through Z - Green salads SEPHARDI TRADITION: With the exception of matzah, matzah meal, etc, do not use anything made from the five grains, (wheat, oats, spelt, barley and rye) such as bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereals, etc., including grain vinegar. And do not use any leavening agents, such as yeast. ASHKENAZI TRADITION: In addition to that listed under "Sephardi," we do not use rice, beans, peas, lentils, corn, millet, or any legumes. NOTE: Quinoa is permissible in both traditions.