Purim Sameach, a Purim full of joy!

Purim celebrants greeting each other with the new handshake! For more photos of Emanu-El’s superheroes taken by Penny Tennenhouse…

Superheroes: Shushan and Beyond

Monday, March 9, 2020: A Purim Celebration—Each of us knows someone who inspires us. This special individual may be a fictional superhero (think comic book) or a real-life person (say actor, activist, mentor, singer, etc.). Or, perhaps they are one of the protagonists in the beloved Book of Esther.

Ssh! Don’t tell the secret meaning of Purim!

Sunday, March 1, 2020, 7-9 pm at Congregation Emanu-El—Why do we wear masks on Purim? Why do we party and drink alcohol? Why did the early rabbis say that Purim will be the only holiday that exists in the messianic era, when all other holidays are gone? And, most of all, why has all this juicy information been kept secret for so long? Join Rabbi Matt Ponak for a mystical look at the inner dimensions of this ancient holiday. This class is a spiritual preparation for Purim, a holiday that takes us beyond good and evil and into the unity of all existence.  This event is for teens and adults only.

Save the date for a Purim celebration!

Monday, March 9, 2020 — Purim is coming, don’t miss out!  To help you celebrate this joyous festival, we will be offering a light dinner buffet and then a Megillah reading at 7:00 pm.
More details to follow.

Religious Services Committee

‘Twas a “wonder”ful Purim…

On Wednesday March 20, Emanu-El celebrated Leil Purim in grand style. Participants young and old showed up fully attired. Our gathering included “women” with matching blue hair and dresses, some in imperial/palatial garb, tux and top hat, and even a sexy police officer.  And,  who can forget the appearance of Wonder Rabbi?  There was a make-up artist on hand, and a karaoke machine for the post-megillah festivities.
Our youth did us proud with their wonderful megillah reading and their costumes and make-up.  Many other people stepped up to read from the scroll of Esther with fun, flair and passion.
Finally, as with any Jewish event, we were treated to delicious foods: hamantaschen, salads and mini pizzas. Thanks to Penny Tennenhouse we have a wonderful pictorial record of the event.

Purim Carnival

Sunday, March 10, 2019 10 am to 12 noon, Jewish Community Center, 3636 Shelbourne Street — The Jewish Federation of Victoria & Vancouver Island, PJ Library, PJ Our Way & Congregation Emanu-El invite everyone to a Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Jewish Community Center of Victoria, 3636 Shelbourne Street. This is a free Family Event featuring carnival games, magician, costume parade, hamantashen, snacks and drinks. Come in costume and win a prize! For more info or to volunteer, please email PJ@jewishvancouverisland.ca

Cookies for Purim

February 28 — Bake or buy delicious cookies for distribution through Victoria Dandelion Society to people living on the street. Proper observance of Purim includes Matanot l’evyonim (gifts to the poor).

As this most joyous holiday approaches we are calling on bakers, buyers and cookie monsters to bring your treats to the synagogue on or before Wednesday, February 28, or in March to Penny Tennenhouse’s home.

Thank you and Hag Purim Sameaḥ from Avodah Social Action Committee.