Purim Programs 2021
It will be a different Purim this year but we’re still going to get dressed up, grogg our groggers, and nosh some Hamentaschen! Here are 13 great Purim Programs to help you safely celebrate with your community here in Maine.
HAMANTASCHEN BAKING DEMONSTRATION
Presented by Beth Israel Congregation in Bath
Thursday, February 18, 5:00 PM
Back by popular demand! Susan Horowitz will be at Now You’re Cooking in celebration of Purim. Some of you may have heard stories of Susan’s famous rainbow Hamantaschen. Come see what she decides to do for this demo…and what she decides to wear!
Watch on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/events/755090825122099/
THE BOOK OF V. – ZOOM AUTHOR TALK WITH NOVELIST ANNA SOLOMON
Presented by the JCA
Thursday, February 18th | 7:00 PM EST
Free. Suggested donations of $10/household gratefully accepted.
The Purim story of Esther is often told as the triumph of a Jewish minority over one man’s blinding hatred, through the courage and selflessness of one woman. Anna Solomon’s The Book of V. challenges this simple narrative — asking, what is Vashti’s story? And how do we choose to represent women’s lives, both in the past and today?
The Book of V. explores the idea of people living on the margins — geographically, socially, and economically, and offers new interpretations of the story of Esther.
Register: https://mainejewish.z2systems.com/eventReg.jsp?event=73508&
PURIM STORY TIME & COSTUME PARTY
Presented by PJ Library of Southern Maine and the JCA
Sunday, February 21st | 3 PM | FREE via Zoom
Join us to share some Purim fun with a story and songs. Show off your costume, dance along to the music and shake your grogger (noise maker)! Register by noon on Friday 2/19 to receive the Zoom link. For families with children 0-8 years old.
Register: https://mainejewish.z2systems.com/eventReg.jsp?event=76078&
WHAT QUEEN ESTHER KNEW: LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES FROM AN ANCIENT SAGE
Presented by Congregation Etz Chaim in Biddeford
Feb 21, 2021 | 11:00AM
Queen Esther evolved from a contestant in the ancient world’s largest beauty contest to the most powerful woman in the Persian empire. How did she do it? By being a brilliant strategist, a courageous risk-taker and a persuasive communicator. AND, through it all, she was true to her principles and ethics.
In her book, What Queen Esther Knew, author Connie Glaser takes a deeper look at the events of the Purim story. She presents the queen as smart, savvy and strategic—a timeless role model for effective leadership.
Connie will share chapters from her book, including the topics of “It Pays to Know the Palace Gossip” and “Dealing with Life’s Hamans”. She has received rave reviews for her presentation from companies all over the country—including Xerox, TimeWarner, Johnson & Johnson, FedEx and Forbes.
About Connie Glaser: Connie is the country’s foremost expert on Women’s Leadership and Communications. She is a best-selling author and speaker and has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, and NBC Nightly News. Her syndicated column, Winning at Work, appears in leading newspapers throughout the country.
THE 19TH ANNUAL SHALACH MANOT PROJECT
With Temple Beth El
Through February 21
The giving of Shalach Manot, gifts of food to friends and family, is one of the four mitzvot performed on Purim. It is a heartfelt way to emphasize the Jewish unity that lies at the core of the Purim holiday, and to create meaningful connections within our own community at the same time. Each year at Temple Beth El, volunteers prepare containers of goodies (including hamantashen) for all of our members. Each recipient family will receive one container with a card listing the names of all the families who have contributed in their honor. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to tzedakah.
It breaks our hearts that we can’t be together to celebrate Purim in person this year, but giving Shalach Manot and being a part of this massive volunteer effort is a great way to keep us connected during this challenging time. Here’s how you can get involved:
Send Shalach Manot: Look for an email from Olivia & Elliott with ordering instructions. Non-TBE members can contact Olivia & Elliott directly.
Volunteer to assemble (on 2/14) and/or deliver gift bags (on/around 2/21): Contact Olivia & Elliott to let them know that you’re willing to help!
PURIM, TOGETHER – A STATEWIDE ZOOM CELEBRATION
Presented by The Center for Small Town Jewish Life
Thursday, Feb. 25th | 6:30 PM
We could all use a little celebration these days! Get your costumes ready, grab a refreshing drink, and join the Maine Jewish community for a festive Purim.
The celebration, hosted by the Center for Small Town Jewish Life, will include:
- A spiel presented by Temple Beth El, Augusta
- A costume parade and contest (Send us a picture of your costume, details below!)
- A special challenge for our local clergy
- A traditional reading of the megillah, so get out your groggers and make some noise!
Half of all donations for this program will go to support Maine’s Good Shepherd Food Bank, feeding the hungry in our state. It’s an easy opportunity to fulfill the Purim mitzvah of providing gifts for the needy.
To receive Zoom details, REGISTER HERE. After you sign up, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the program link.
CALLING ALL PURIM COSTUMES!
We may be at home this Purim, but that is no excuse to forgo your costume! In fact, it may even be the reason to dress up in ways you would never dream of doing in public!
The Center is hosting a virtual costume parade during our statewide Purim celebration on February 25. Please send us a picture or short video of yourself in costume to feature in the online parade. Everyone who sends in a photo or video will be entered into our costume contest in one of four categories:
- Best Maine-themed costume
- Best costume related to the story of Purim
- Funniest costume
- Best costume by someone younger than b’nai mitzvah age (kids are eligible for all categories)!
A panel of judges from the community will choose our winners. PRIZES: Each of our four winners will receive a $50 gift certificate to Kolbo bookstore and Judaica shop for some online shopping.
Please email photos to sjrockfo@colby.edu with the following information:
– Your first and last name
– Description of your costume.
Entries must be submitted by February 23 to be considered for the contest! We can’t wait to see what you come up with to entertain and amuse us on this most unusual of Purims! FMI: liz.snider@colby.edu
Register for the Zoom link https://colbycollegejewishlife.regfox.com/statewide-purim
A WILD & CRAZY PARTY
Presented by Congregation Etz Chaim of Biddeford
Thursday, February 25 – 5:30 to 6:30
Show us your favorite Purim costumeand shake your groggers with us!!
- Purim Spiel performed by our Hebrew School students
- CEC Megillah read by its author, Mike Berkowitz
- Sing-A-Long led by Cantor Strassler
For those at home in York County with children, we’d love to deliver a “Purim in a Box” to help make the holiday fun for our youngest community members! Each Box contains instructions and supplies to make your own groggers, masks and hamantaschan!! To receive one, include your name, phone # and address in your RSVP before Thursday, February 18.
RSVP to get the link: cantorstrassler@gmail.com
https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=00f8957addf997d665040280b&id=d98b9fb537
PURIM AT THE OCEAN GATEWAY & MEGILLAH HOP
Presented by Chabad of Maine
Megillah Hop | Feb 25 at 7:30 PM – Feb 26 | 3 PM
We’ll bring the Megillah to you! Sign up today for a private Megillah reading, music, and Purim treats brought to your home!
Essential Purim Celebration | Friday, Feb 26, 2021 | 3 PM
Thanking all our essential workers! Join us for a safe indoor Megillah reading celebration, according to CDC guidelines, at the Ocean Gateway, one of Portland’s more spacious halls! RSVP REQUIRED
PURIM 2021 JEWISH JEOPARDY
Presented by Temple Shalom Auburn
Friday, February 26, 6:00 P.M., All Ages!
PURIM PUPPET SPIEL
Presented by B’nai Portland
February 26, 6:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Please Join B’nai Portland for an online Purim Celebration featuring a Puppet Purim Spiel, costumes, raffles, graggers, a Shabbat Service and more! Costumes and graggers are encouraged. Those of age may also consider playing “Shots to Haman” with their beverage of choice. Tickets, available through Eventbrite are $18.00 per household (plus $2.73 service fee)
Click here to purchase tickets.
A Zoom link will be sent to ticket holders shortly before the event date.
TORAH STUDY: FOCUS ON THE PURIM STORY
Presented by Congregation Etz Chaim of Biddeford
Saturday, February 27 – 9:30 – 11
Our Ritual Committee will lead a discussion about the Megillat Esther (Purim Story). Cantor Strassler will chant chapter 7 (the dinner party at Queen Esther’s).
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86366254797?pwd=elFzTTFjU0x4OXFnZVZRUHFyanhYQT09
Meeting ID: 863 6625 4797
Passcode: 676902
PURIM CELEBRATION
Presented by Congregation Bet Ha’am
February 28, 10:00 AM
Rejoice during a morning of Purim celebration and fun on Zoom. This year’s activities will include our annual Megillah reading and new Purim shpiel written by Mike Levine, Good Morning Shushan: A Zoom Shpiel For COVID Times. In our shpiel, a daily reporter gets the scoop of a lifetime at the royal palace. Join us to find out what happens!
Registration is required by Friday, February 26 at 12:00 Noon. Links will be sent out after 1:00 PM on February 26. https://bethaam.typeform.com/to/Q9Vs4tf8
PJ LIBRARY FREE PURIM ACTIVITY KITS
Presented by PJ Library of Southern Maine and the JCA
Free while supplies last, one kit per family
Whatever your favorite Purim traditions are and however your celebration may look this year, we hope that this activity kit will enrich your holiday. We wish you and your family a joyful Purim!
This kit is best for children ages 3-8 years old. (Note: some art materials in the kit are very small and may be choking hazards for very young children).
Sign up for contactless curbside pickup at the JCA at 1342 Congress St., Portland
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1clxwRsG9Qeb8rUiuqGkXZL99m3ZXHpfS7JW2mPTAE-Q/
Did we miss your Purim event? Please email Trevor with any requests.