Purim 5781 Events - Purim Katan (Mini Purim), Service and Megillah Reading, the Shpiel, the Carnival
Join us!
The festive holiday of Purim is an annual highlight at Congregation Beth Elohim, featuring a series of community-wide services and celebrations. This year, we've gone virtual and adapted our services and events!
We are also highlighting ways to follow the Purim tradition of helping the poor. These are causes that we normally accept donations for when we convene in person.
Click on the event in the list below for more details. Registration is only required for the Saturday Shpiel performance. Registrants will receive an email with the ZOOM link and password prior to that event.
The CBE main ZOOM link, https://zoom.us/j/9782633061, will be used for the services, Purim Katan, and the Sunday Shpiel performance. If you do not know the password, check the STAR-LIte or email Purim@bethelohim.org.
- Purim Tradition of Helping the Poor
- Purim Katan (Mini Purim) ♦ Thursday, February 25, 5:30 PM
- Purim Service and Megillah Reading ♦ Thursday, February 25, 6:15 PM
- Shpiel Saturday Evening Performance ♦ Saturday, February 27, 6:45 PM
- Shpiel Performance for Religious School Families and others ♦ Sunday, February 28, 10:00 AM
- Purim Carnival ♦ Sunday, February 28, 11:30 AM (following the Shpiel)
Contact Liz or Lindsay at Purim@bethelohim.org with any questions.
Purim Tradition of Helping the Poor
“The same days on which Jews enjoyed relief from their foes and the same month which had been transformed for them from one of grief to joy and from mourning to festival, they were to observe them as days of feasting and merry-making, and as an occasion for mishloach manot (Giving gifts) and matanot la-evyonim (helping the poor).” (Esther 9:22).
We are highlighting two recommended ways to help the poor that we have supported at Purim in previous years.
- In past years we have collected canned and boxed goods for the Acton Food Pantry during our Sunday Shpiel performance. If you are so inclined, bring your food pantry donations to drop off points at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore, Roche Bros, Donelans, Stop and Shop, Sargent Memorial Library, or Middlesex Savings Bank.
- Yad Chessed, a local Jewish anti-poverty organization, does an annual Purim appeal. We encourage you to make a donation: http://www.yadchessed.org/purim/
Purim Katan (Mini Purim) for families with young children
Thursday, February 25 at 5:30 pm until 6:00 pm
All of our youngest children and their grownups are invited to sing, dance and celebrate Purim with Rabbi Mike and Beth Goldstein.
CBE's Purim Service and Megillah Reading
Thursday, February 25 at 6:15 pm
All Megillah readers will be over Zoom. Our service will be shorter than usual and there will be a limited number of readers. Our religious school students will be helping us celebrate through artistic interpretations of the Megillah.
Purim Shpiel!
Shpiel Evening Performance
Saturday, February 27, 6:45 PM
The Shpiel producers, Lindsay Rosenman and Liz Walker, the cast and volunteers invite you to join them for this evening performance! Registrants will receive the zoom link and password for this special performance including a live intro with some of your favorite Shpielers.
The Saturday Night Shpiel performance is open to all and we are not charging to attend during this strange COVID year in order for the event to be accessible to all.
However, because Shpiel is usually a fundraiser for CBE, when you register, a $25 per attendee donation (which is the usual ticket price) or a donation amount of your choice, are welcome to help support the synagogue. All ticket donations will go directly to meet this year's fundraising goals.
The virtual evening event will start with a Havdalah Service at 6:45pm followed by the Shpiel Performance at 7:00pm.
If you want to sign up and pay offline, please email purim@bethelohim.org for instructions to mail a check.
Shpiel Sunday Performance for religious school families and others
Sunday, February 28, 10:00 AM
Join us on the CBE main zoom account (https://zoom.us/j/9782633061). If you need the password, please check the STAR-Lite or email purim@bethelohim.org.
Purim Carnival
Sunday, February 28, 11:30 AM (following the Shpiel performance)
We are bringing the Purim Carnival to ZOOM! Remain on the ZOOM link following the Shpiel performance to join in the fun!