Southern Maine Purim Parties 2023
Purim Parties are back in-person again this year, and we are so excited to get dressed up, grogg our groggers, and nosh some Hamantaschen! Here are 9 great ways to celebrate Purim with your community here in Maine.
HAMANTASCHEN SALE
JCA Front Lobby, 1342 Congress Street, Portland
March 3rd – March 7th
Poppy Seed, Apricot, Chocolate, and Raspberry. $5.00 for a half a dozen // $18 for two dozen
PURIMFEST!
Jewish Community Alliance, 1342 Congress St., Portland
Friday March 3 – Sunday March 5
A weekend of inspiring, radical, creative, extravagant collaboration in ritual, arts, food, dancing, and general ruckus to celebrate the rich holiday of Purim.
BETH EL KIDS PURIM PARTY
Temple Beth El, 400 Deering Ave., Portland
Sunday, March 5th | 11:30 AM
Due to size limitations at Maine Craft Distilling, we have realized we need to hold a separate kids event for Purim, so join at TBE for Purim programming for the little ones! The event begins at 11:30am, and we’ll get going right away with a reading of the Purim story, face painting, and a costume parade with prizes!
It is mitzvah (good deed) on Purim to offer tzedakah (a charitable donation), and we encourage all those who are able (Jewish, Jewish-adjacent, or not Jewish at all!) to consider making a donation to Maine Needs at this year’s Purim party!
PURIM DANCE PARTY AND COSTUME CONTEST
Congregation Etz Chaim, 34 Bacon Street, Biddeford
Sunday, March 5th | 2:00 PM
Free for members; $10/person or $25/family for non-members
Purim party (offered in person and online) will feature live klezmer music by the Casco Bay Tummlers, Israeli folk dancing led by dance instructor Barbara Merson, the annual reading of the Congregation Etz Chaim Megillah, a contest (with prizes!) for best costumes in both adult and children’s categories, homemade hamentaschen from our best bakers. Costumes strongly encouraged!
Registration required for both in-person and online attendance.
PURIM FAMILY CELEBRATION
Etz Chaim Synagogue, 267 Congress Street, Portland
Sunday, March 5th | 3:00 – 4:30 PM
A family friendly Purim celebration for children ages 0-7, and their siblings. A craft project, snacks, music and parade culminating in the sanctuary for a kid friendly megillah reading! Costumes encouraged! (but not required!) Led by Cantor Sheila Nesis.
PURIM MEGILLA READING
Beth Israel Congregation, Minnie Brown Center, 906 Washington Street, Bath, ME
Monday, March 5th | 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Purim Megillah Reading followed by pizza & hamantaschen. Come in Costume – Fun for All!
TBE’S ANNUAL PURIM PARTY
Maine Craft Distilling, 123 Washington Ave. in Portland
Monday, March 6th | 6:00 – 9:00 PM (megillah reading will start around 6:40pm)
There will be a costume contest for adults – anyone ages 13+ can enter, as long as they arrive by 6:45pm; winners will be announced between 7:45-8:00pm. Throughout all of this revelry, Rabbi Sruli Dresdner and Lisa Mayer will be on stage bringing Klezmer tunes and, as always, lots of ruach (spirit)!
Entry is free; food and drink will be available for purchase. It is mitzvah (good deed) on Purim to offer tzedakah (a charitable donation), and we encourage all those who are able (Jewish, Jewish-adjacent, or not Jewish at all!) to consider making a donation to Maine Needs at this year’s Purim party!
PURIM FOR ADULTS – GAME NIGHT
Congregation Bet Ha’am, 81 Westbrook Street, South Portland
Monday, March 6th | 6:30 PM
Purim isn’t just for kids! Put on your best game face and join us for an Adults Only Game Night themed Purim service and Megillah reading. Games and snacks are free; libations will be available for purchase. Feeling lucky? Enter our sweet or savory hamantaschen bake-off challenge!
Please take a moment to RSVP and enter the hamantaschen bake-off challenge. We look forward to seeing you for a night of fun & laughter!
Questions? Email Lynn at Lynn@bethaam.org.
PURIM FIESTA
Presented by Chabad of Maine at the Jewish Community Alliance, 1342 Congress Street, Portland
Tuesday, March 7th | 4:30 PM
Celebrate Purim with a community Fiesta! Megillah reading at 4:30, followed by a Taco dinner at 5:00. Fun for all ages! Paint Maracas, make your own salsa, participate in a Hot Pepper Contest, and more! Sign up now at chabadofmaine.com/fiesta
Did we miss your Purim event? Please email Trevor with any requests.