Purim wears many masks

Holiday is party time, but there's also room for giving, reflection

Celebrate with these local events

JULIE HILTON DANAN
Special to Jewish News

Purim, being celebrated this year on Sunday, March 23, commemorates how the Jews were saved from genocide in ancient Persia, thanks to the intervention of the brave and beautiful Jewish Queen Esther and her righteous Uncle Mordechai. It is traditional to celebrate the daylong festival by reading the holiday story aloud, feasting, sending gifts of food, giving charity and generally making merry.

In modern America, Purim has acquired the reputation of a children's holiday, but in many parts of the world and throughout Jewish history it was the time for adults to engage in masquerade, satire, and feasting that included at least a little tippling, if not intoxication (the latter custom has been called into question in an age of sensitivity to the hazards of alcohol; traditionally, it was felt that confining alcohol to religious and celebratory occasions encouraged overall moderation).

Following are seven silly and serious suggestions for celebrating Purim.

1. Meaningful Megillah
The story of Purim is recorded in the Biblical book of Esther, which is inscribed on a long parchment scroll (the Megillah) that is read in honor of the holiday. Traditionally, the Megillah is read on the eve of Purim and again on Purim day; check your synagogue or temple for details.

The book of Esther reads like a combination of court intrigue and melodrama. Although the name of God is never explicitly mentioned in the Megillah, Jewish sages understood that God was working through the human interactions of the story, hidden behind the scenes. (Interestingly, the name "Esther" connotes "hiddenness" in Hebrew.) The vulnerability of diaspora Jews as "a certain people" different from the majority is contrasted with their eventual success and celebration of community at the story's end.

Depending on the setting, the entire Megillah may be read in the original Hebrew, with English translations provided to follow along, or selections may be translated and even dramatized.

The Megillah reading is accompanied by costumes and noisemakers (see below) and is often followed by eating, drinking, and entertainment, such as carnivals, live music or a Purim shpiel (farcical play).

Family members can appreciate the Megillah reading at their own level by taking the time to review the book of Esther in advance. Adults should be prepared for some surprises if they've only been acquainted with some watered-down or cleaned up "Sunday School" retelling of this classic tale; the rating for the uncut biblical version would definitely be "R"! Read the kids a simplified, illustrated story of Esther so that they'll appreciate what all the fuss is about when you get to synagogue. For grade school and up, try "The Whole Megillah" by Shoshana Silberman (Kar-Ben); younger children will enjoy "A Purim Album" by Raymond Zwerin and Audrey Friedman Marcus (UAHC). Check Jewish bookstores or synagogue libraries for other editions and commentaries.

2. Colorful costumes
Dressing up is a must for most Purim celebrations. Kids dress up as characters in the story or as anything brave, beautiful, or ridiculous that they choose. In many communities (the fun ones), adults as well as children get into the act by acting out their secret identity-fantasies in costume.

A serious message behind the costumes is that "all the world's a stage", all our precious personas are mere bit parts in a bigger production, and behind the scenes is a director guiding the dramas and actions we think are ours. The mystics would even say that everything in the world is only a mask hiding an inner divinity.

3. Making some noise
How often do we get to ask our kids to "please raise a ruckus" in the synagogue? Kids love the Purim tradition of making lots of noise every time that the name of Haman, the villain of the Purim story, is said aloud during the Megillah reading. Although most synagogues supply groggers (noisemakers), it's a fun family project to make your own. My favorite easy version is to put a marble, jingle bells and/or beads, and lots of glittery stuff in an individual-sized plastic soda bottle (glue on the top if small kids are around), decorate with some stickers or ribbons on the outside, and shake away! You can experiment with any kind of clean, safe container and noisy stuff to rattle inside. Challenge your kids to invent a truly original grogger.

4. Great goodies
The next three customs are in emulation of the actions of the Jews of ancient Shushan, Persia, in celebration of their redemption: sending portions of food to friends, feasting, and giving gifts to the poor.

Mishloach Manot, or "Parcels of Portions," are gifts of food presented to friends on the day of the holiday. At least two types of food are sent to at least one friend, although in practice most families make a number of these goody baskets to distribute. This is one of those great family "quality time" activities that can be as simple or as elaborate as your energy and budget allow.

To hold the goodies, you can decorate gift bags, paper plates, inexpensive baskets, food boxes or "recycled" clean containers. Fill them with your choice of delicacies, such as fresh or dried fruits, snack foods, nuts, candies, bottled or canned juice, or baked goods.

Recipes for hamantaschen, the traditional filled three-cornered Purim pastries, can be found in many kosher cookbooks. Kids love the sticky fun of filling the dough with pastry filling, jelly, dried fruit or even chocolate chips before baking.

Sending Mishloach Manot is a great way to share the joy of the holiday. Try to include recipients who have never experienced this custom before.

5. Fabulous feasts
Although most of us think of the Passover Seder as the quintessential Jewish dinner party, for centuries Jews regarded the Purim Seudah as a major occasion to celebrate at home. Today, many Jews have forgotten this custom in favor of more public celebrations, but it seems that any celebration that centers on the family table deserves to be revived in this day and age.

The Purim Seudah traditionally takes place on Purim day (not eve), usually in the late afternoon. It's a great time for family and friends to gather and have fun. Unlike the Passover Seder, there are no formal rituals beyond the usual "HaMotzi" blessing over bread and the "Birkat HaMazon" or grace after meals, and some people do a kind of spoof kiddush, blessing, for fun. It's a good time for silliness and satires (see below).

In this busy day and age, a potluck dinner enjoyed by several families or a Havurah, fellowship group, together might represent maximum fun and least work for all concerned.

6. Gracious giving
Matanot La'Evyonim, gifts to the poor, is a Purim custom that celebrates the human role in redeeming and perfecting the world with God. It is customary to give donations to at least two needy individuals or worthy organizations. Take up a collection of cash and perhaps also food and clothing at your Megillah reading, party or Seudah. Get the children involved so they learn that true rejoicing can only take place in the context of sharing with others.

7. Spoofing it up
The "Purim shpiel," or farcical play associated with Purim, began in the Middle Ages and today has extended to satirical or "April Fools"-style skits, publications or - in the case of modern Israel - even media broadcasts. Enter the spirit of the day by staging a family farce, creating a satirical family newsletter on your PC, or inserting a spoof page (perhaps printed upside down) in the synagogue or Havurah bulletin.

"Nahafoch Hu," all was reversed, according to the Megillah, and this phrase has granted permission for all manner of jokes and parodies over the ages. Teenagers, by the way, are naturals at this kind of satirical humor. By making fun of ourselves a bit on Purim, we can add a little necessary humor to sometimes overly serious areas of family and congregational life.

By taking Purim a bit more seriously, we take our Judaism a bit more seriously - and prove to ourselves, and our families, that Judaism can be downright, outright fun.

Julie Hilton Danan is a graduate student in rabbinic literature at the University of Texas at Austin, and the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Am in San Antonio. She is also the author of "The Jewish Parents' Almanac." This article is reprinted with permission of Jewishfamily.com, a World Wide Web site.

Celebrate with these local events

Jewish News Staff

Events around the Valley include:

• Temple Beth Israel, 3310 N. 10th Ave., Phoenix, presents its annual Purim Shpiel on Friday, March 21. Festivities begin with a family Shabbat service in the temple sanctuary. Children particularly are encouraged to wear Purim costumes. The shpiel after services will include presentations by Rabbi Kenneth Segel and Cantor Howard Tabaknek. Call 264-4428.

• Chabad of Phoenix, 2110 E. Lincoln Drive, celebrates with a variety of events. First reading of the Megillah will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 22, with a family party that includes refreshments and games. The Megillah also will be read at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 23, preceded by a holiday service at 9 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes. There will also be a Purim dinner, including raffle and entertainment, at 5 p.m. March 23. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 years old and younger. Call 944-2753.

• Har Zion Congregation, 5929 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, urges everyone to come in costume to boo Haman at its Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 23. Purim plays open the festivities at 10 a.m. The carnival begins at 11:30 a.m. and features games, rides, a costume contest and kosher food. Call 991-0720.

• Young Israel of Phoenix, 745 E. Maryland Ave., will hold a Megillah reading and Purim party at 7:50 p.m. Saturday, March 22. The Megillah will also be read at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, March 23. A Purim Seudah will be held at 5:45 p.m. March 23. RSVP for the Seudah at 265-8888.

• Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, opens its celebration with a Megillah reading and an enactment of "Little Orphan Esther" at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 22. A children's Megillah reading is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday, March 23, with prizes for children in costume. A Purim Carnival, with a hot-dog lunch and games, will follow at noon. Call 991-7414.

• Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, will hold its first Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 23, from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature rides, raffles and prizes. Costumes are encouraged. A full Megillah reading will be held at 8:15 a.m. and a children's Megillah program at 11 a.m.

• Solomon Schechter Day School celebrates its 10th anniversary with a Masked Purim Ball at the Arizona Biltmore Pavilion at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 23. The event features comedian Robert Klein, dinner, a silent auction, and dancing to Limelight Music. Black tie is optional. Tickets are $175 per person, $150 per person for those younger than 35. For reservations, call 944-6179.

• Tri-City JCC will hold a Purim carnival Sunday, March 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 316 S. LeSueur St., Mesa. Food, children's games, pony rides and costume contests are planned. Call 897-0588.