Purim - They Tried To Kill Us, We Won, Let’s Eat - But With Sprinkles!

Purim has been my least favourite of the Jewish holidays yet I'm beginning to change my mind about it. What I don’t like is the dressing up, the enforced jollity, and the commandment that you must drink yourself into oblivion.

I do, however, like the topsy turvyness of the festival, the silliness, making and poking fun. There’s something deeply relieving about the comedic aspect of the Book of Esther, the irreverence, of the chance to let go and have fun.And of being able to boo the baddies - who get their just desserts in the end. 

We are told in the Talmud to increase our joy in the month of Adar, which is a beautiful concept, looking for ways to bring more joy to ourselves and to others. And celebrating Purim together is the culmination of that. So how do we increase not only our own joy but others?
‍ ‍
One way traditionally is to give ‘mishloach manot’, gifts of food to friends and relatives. On Sunday 1st March, during the Purim party, we will be making mishloach manot and sharing them with our friends at Wightman Road mosque. They will be especially gratefully received as they will be celebrating Ramadan by then, and our gifts are a good way to break the fast. The following Sunday 8th March 5pm we are invited to the Multifaith Iftar(breaking of the fast) at the mosque. Please bring vegetarian sweets and snacks (individually wrapped), clementines, and other treats.

Coming together across generations to feast, have fun and challenge each other is another way we celebrate during the Purim Party. We will be making shadow puppets with local artist Teddy,  a Lego team challenge, and a quiz for everyone. And this year we will also be baking hamentaschen. So join us for a riotous and fun afternoon together and help us increase the joy.

And if that is not enough, in the evening, at 8pm, we will have our annual Purim Pub Quiz, this year written and curated by our very own Dave Cohen; comedian, broadcaster, BBC TV writer, and 8 times BAFTA winner.

Please remember to use the sign up link to the venue details and see if you can beat last year's winners!

As we enter the month of Adar may your joy increase.