Purim

The Holiday of Purim – Thursday night and Friday, March 20-21, 2008

The holiday of Purim celebrates the saving of the Jews of Persia in the fifth century BCE from the genocidal plans of their nemesis, Haman. Through the wisdom and grace of Mordechai and Esther and the behind-the-scenes machinations of God, certain death was replaced with victory, security and religious freedom. Because Haman is such an obvious predecessor of Hitler and because the Purim story occurred in the Diaspora, it has the ability to resonate deeply with American Jews.

Purim is one of the happiest days of the Jewish calendar. The story of Purim (known as the Scroll of Esther, or the megilla) is publicly read in the evening and again on the morning of Purim, special gift packages (known as mishloach manot) are delivered to friends and family, charity (tzedaka) is emphasized and a special festive meal is eaten to celebrate the disaster that was not’t. It is also customary to heartily boo Haman each time his name is mentioned, to dress up in costume and to eat triangular filled cookies, known here as Hamantashen (Haman pockets) and in Israel as Haman’s ears.

For more Purim information, click here.

Snap shop of Purim Events (program descriptions listed below):

Monday, March 17 - 5:30pm - Purim for Dummies (level 1)

Monday, March 17 - 7:00pm - Purim for Dummies (level 2)

Tuesday, March 18 - 1:00-3:00pm - Make Your Own Purim Goodie Bags

Tuesday, March 18 - 5:00-7:00pm - Make Your Own Purim Goodie Bags

Tuesday, March 18 - 7:30pm - Hamantashen Baking

Wednesday, March 19 - 1:00-3:00pm - Make Your Own Purim Goodie Bags

Wednesday, March 19 - 2:00-5:00pm - FREE Hamantashen on Campus

Wednesday, March 19 - 5:00-7:00pm - Make Your Own Purim Goodie Bags

Thursday, March 20th - 7:45pm - Megilla Reading

Thursday, March 20th - 8:30pm - Costume and Grogger Contest

Thursday, March 20th - 8:45pm - Masquerade Party

Friday, March 21st - 8:15am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, 5:15pm - Megilla Readings

Friday, March 21st - 11:30-2:00pm - Purim Lunch

Friday, March 22nd - 6:00-9:00pm - Gala Shabbat with Liquid Fun

Saturday, March 22nd - Shabbat

Schedule of Purim Events:

Purim for Dummies (level 1)	Rabbi Avi gives the 1 hour skinny on how to celebrate the holiday of Purim. Perfect for beginners! For more information email Rabbi Avi.
Monday, March 17th
5:30pm
1st Floor Library, Hillel House

Purim for Dummies (level 2)	Rabbi Avi gives the 1 hour skinny on how to celebrate the holiday of Purim. For people who want more than just the basics. For more information email Rabbi Avi.
Monday, March 17th
7:00pm
1st Floor Library, Hillel House

Hamantashen Baking	Come fill and bake (and eat!) your own triangle Purim cookies. Several flavors available - and it's free! For more information email Kim Maniovich.
Tuesday, March 18th
7:30pm
3rd Floor Dining Hall, Hillel House

Make Your Own Purim Goodie Bags	Custom-make your own Purim packages to give to friends and family. A variety of Hamantashen, candy and other goodies to choose from. Only $5 per goodie bag. All proceeds will go to needy families in Israel.
Tuesday, March 18th and Wednesday, March 19th
GSU Link (1:00- 3:00pm)
3rd Floor Hillel Dining Hall, Hillel House (5:00-7:00pm)

FREE Hamantashen on campus	Keep an eye out for costumed Hamantashen handlers spreading holiday fun all over BU.
Wednesday, March 19th
2:00-5:00pm
All over campus

Megilla Readings	Come (in costume, of course) boo for Haman and cheer for Mordecai and Esther as the classic Purim story is read. Orthodox and egalitarian readings will be held simultaneously. Orthodox ma'ariv will be at 7:30pm.
Thursday, March 20th
7:45pm
4th Floor, Hillel House
(late Megilla reading 9:30pm)

Costume and Grogger Contest	$25 Starbucks gift cards will go to the best costume and most creative noise-maker (grogger), chosen by our blue-ribbon panel of judges. Prizes will be awarded immediately following megilla readings.
Thursday, March 20th
8:30pm (approx.)
4th Floor, Hillel House

Masquerade Party	Come to the largest Purim party this side of the River. Food, live band, DJ, costumes, etc.
Thursday, March 20th
8:45pm
3rd Floor, Hillel House

Megilla Readings	Morning minyan at 7:45am, followed by megilla reading. Will finish in time for 9:00am classes. 5:15 will have both Orthodox and egalitarian readings, finishing just in time for Friday night services.
Friday, March 21st
8:15am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, 5:15pm
4th Floor, Hillel House

Purim Lunch	It's a mitzvah to eat on Purim, so join your friends at Hillel for lunch on your dining plan and hamantashen for dessert.
Friday, March 21st
11:30-2:00pm
3rd Floor, Hillel House

Gala Shabbat with Liquid Fun	6:00 pm - Reform, Orthodox and Conservative services. 7:30 pm - Dinner 8:30 - Awesome improv from BU's own Liquid Fun to keep the celebration of Purim going!
Friday, March 21st
6:00-9:00pm
Hillel House

Shabbat	8:30am - Rabbi Polak's class 9:30am - Orthodox services 10:00am - Conservative services 12:00pm - Kiddush 12:30pm - Shabbat lunch. Click here to sign up for Shabbat lunch
Saturday, March 22nd
Hillel House