This week the Jewish holiday of Purim begins on Wednesday night, March 4th through the next day, Thursday, March 5th.
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 4
Chabad of Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura Megillah Readings
March 5
Chabad of Camarillo Purim Carnival (CAMARILLO)
Chabad of Oxnard hosts Purim in the Schtetel (OXNARD)
Chabad of Simi hosts Purim in the Circus (SIMI)
Chabad of Ventura Purim Paris Banquet (VENTURA)
March 6
Purim Service with Congregation Bnai Emet (SIMI)
March 8
Temple Beth Torah Purim Carnival (VENTURA)
Temple Adat Elohim Purim Carnival (THOUSAND OAKS)
Temple Ner Ami Purim Carnival (CAMARILLO)
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 4th and once during the day of March 5th.
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 5th 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 .
