This week the Jewish holiday of Purim begins on Wednesday night, March 23rd through the next day, Thursday, March 24th.
Purim is probably the most fun of all Jewish holidays. There’s lots of good food and fun events for families like carnivals and feasts. Included are local events for you to enjoy with the kids in Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura, details about the holiday, plus crafts for the kids.
LOCAL EVENTS
March 23
Temple Etz Chaim Family Friendly Purim Megillah Reading(THOUSAND OAKS)
Megillah Readings at 7:30pm at Chabad in Camarillo and Oxnard & Ventura at 7pm
March 24
Chabad of Camarillo Community Purim BBQ & Celebration (CAMARILLO)
Chabad of Ventura Purim Banquet (VENTURA)
Purim Celebration & Dinner @ Chabad of Oxnard (OXNARD)
Chabad of Ojai Purim Party (OJAI)
March 25
Congregation Bnai Emet Presents:Purim Service (SIMI)
THE TRADITIONS
The Story of Purim
One of the most important traditions of this holiday is to read the Story of Queen Esther (Click HERE for the full story), also called the Megillah, which is read once on March 23rd and once during the day of March 24th.
SOME FUN PURIM CRAFTS FOR KIDS
Materials Needed for Both Instruments:
- Toilet paper roll for rain stick
- 2 paper plates for tambourine
- Construction paper
- Tape (wide, packaging tape is easiest)
- Beans or rice
- Yarn, string, or ribbon
- Decorative materials (foam shapes, scrap paper, markers, etc.)
- Fill the paper towel roll or toilet paper roll with some rice.
- Wrap 1 piece of construction paper around toilet paper roll, making sure both ends are well covered.
- Place tape over any seams.
- Decorate!
- Put rice on one plate.
- Place the second plate over the first, facing each other and tape edges together. You can also glue and then staple together, or punch holes and weave ribbon, string or yarn through it.
- Decorate!
Send Gifts & Give Charity
Purim is a time to celebrate Jewish unity and friendship. Jews send packages containing at least two different kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g. hamantashen and fruit) to at least one friend (men give to men and women give to women). These gifts, Mishloach Manot, are traditionally sent by a friendly messenger (kids like to get dressed up and deliver the gifts). It is also customary to give (or set aside )charity to give to at least two poor groups or causes on Purim day, March 23-24 this year.
For more information on Purim visit Chabad's PURIM GUIDE
Check out the cool Purim costumes Gan Camarillo Preschool pinned on Pinterest at pinterest.com/chabadparents/purim-costumes.
Information on Purim provided by Gan Camarillo Preschool, visit their blog at GanCamarilloPreschool.blogspot.com .
