Purim Play and Celebration

All are invited to a special Purim celebration on Sunday, March 3, from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m., hosted in the Forum and Commons by Children's Ministries.  The event will include the traditional Purim play and special Purim treats. 

Purim, one of the most fun and joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar, commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from a planned annihilation in Persia.  The people are saved from the evil plans of the story’s villain, Haman, through the intervention of Queen Esther.  Customs surrounding Purim include gifts of food to friends, charity to the poor, festive synagogue services, and a grand, celebratory meal.

Children are invited, as is the tradition at Purim, to wear costumes to church.  Any costume will do – but please, no scary ones!   If any adults out there would like to join in the fun and wear a costume, you are welcome to do so.   The celebratory aspect of Purim is kind of like a Mardi Gras/Halloween atmosphere – so costume pieces like Mardi Gras beads, hats, etc. are perfectly fine!

Another Purim tradition is the making and using of “groggers”, noisemakers used during the Purim play to drown out the name of the antagonist, Haman.  Children have made groggers during church school time, but adults are invited to make one at home to bring in.    Groggers can be as simple as painting or decorating a sturdy paper plate, folding it in half, filling it with dried beans, and stapling it together. Voila, you have a fun and festive noisemaker! You can also make a grogger using recycled yogurt containers or plastic bottles. Simply decorate the container with paint or stickers, and fill with dried beans. Once you’ve sealed up the top, start shaking away.

Finally, no Purim celebration is complete without a feast!  Please consider donating a baked good item (donuts, muffins, bagels) to share.  If you’d like to try a traditional Purim treat, hamentaschen, recipes are readily available online, or contact Cathy Portlock Pacitto at cportlock@trinitychurchboston.org for a recipe.  Please drop off food items in the Commons before the 9am service.   Helpers will be on hand to accept donations.

Please join us for the fun!