FROM TURNING THE TABLES TO DANCING ON THEM: A PURIM ROUNDUP
With more Jews than any other city in the world, New York offers up an array of Purim activities suitable for its diverse inhabitants, with something to satisfy everyone, from traditional Purimspiels and children’s costume parades to puppets and pranks. And don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities to tipple in tribute to Esther and Mordechai. The following is a small selection of Purim festivities.
A Guide to Getting Into the Mood: Havurat Yisrael provides the opportunity to learn how to give oneself over to the spirit of Purim when it screens the video “Plug Into the Power of Simcha (Joy),” featuring Rabbi Abraham Twerski and Jonathan Rietti. Havurat House, 108-19 70th Road, Forest Hills, Queens; March 9, 6:15 p.m.; please call for additional details. (718-261-5500)
The Seeds of Purim: Rabbi Susan Shnur, Lilith magazine’s editor at large, discusses “The Womantasch! Reclaiming Purim,” which takes a look at how the hamantash began as a celebration of fertility — think of all those seeds! The lecture shines a feminist light on the holiday as Shnur melds history, mythology and psychology to provide a strong contextualization of the holiday. The talk complements the exhibit “Lilith Magazine: The Voice of Jewish Women,” which celebrates the magazine’s long history. Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Brookdale Center, 1 W. 4th St.; March 12, 7 p.m.; free; exhibit Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., some Sundays, free. (212-674-5300)
For the Fun-Loving Activist: For its second Purim Ball, the Workmen’s Circle presents performances by the all-female klezmer band Mikveh and the King Django Roots & Culture band, a self-described “8-piece Yiddish ska and reggae band,” plus Mara Goodman and the NYC Streetsingers. Participants are encouraged to dress up, to feel more comfortable mixing with the larger-than-life puppets created by the Great Small Works puppeteers from the People’s Voice Café. This year’s ball focuses on sweatshops and other unfair labor practices. Puppet making and education workshops about sweatshops are offered the weekend beforehand, sponsored by Heeb Magazine, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, the Workers Defense League and the National Labor Committee. Workmen’s Circle, 45 E. 33rd St.; workshops March 9, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., free, reservations requested; ball March 15, 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $25, $15 students and seniors, $10 youth under 17, reservations recommended. (212-889-6800, ext. 270)
New Traditions: As New York is a multi-culti kind of town, Makor blends its Purim celebration with a nod to Saint Patrick’s Day, offering up green beer with which to wash down poppy hamantashen. Musical talents from both traditions come together when Susan McKeown joins the Klezmatics’ Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg for a “shamrocking” time. Costumes are thoroughly encouraged. Makor-Steinhardt Center, 35 W. 67th St.; March 17, 8 p.m.; $25, reservations recommended. (212-601-1000)
Son of a Gun, We’ll Have Good Fun: Get ready to spin your groggers! With tongue in cheek, the Young Leadership of the UJA-Federation invites 20- and 30-somethings to celebrate Esther at her distant namesake’s, Polly Esther’s. And lest anyone forget to fête Mordechai, they’ve made him an object of attention, too, at the “Mordy Gras Purim Palooza.” Polly Esther’s, 186 W. 4th St., March 19, $35, $25 before March 18; $35. (212-453-6566)
Kids Are Us: Children show off their costumes during a Purim Parade, preceded by a Purimspiel and followed by face painting, a treasure hunt and holiday arts and crafts projects. Children’s Galleries for Jewish Culture, 515 W. 20th St.; March 16 Purimspiel 11 a.m.-noon, parade 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; parade and activities free with $5 museum admission or $8 Purimspiel. (212-924-4500, ext. 1)
Ansche Chesed Extravaganza: How would your daughter look as Esther? Your son as Mordechai? The best thing to complement their costumes might just be a stop at the face-painting booth at the “Purim Extravaganza” carnival at Congregation Ansche Chesed. A “Purim Pandemonium” show with David Charnee entertains children under 8. And for the grown-ups, there’s a wine tasting and a used book sale. Congregation Ansche Chesed, 251 W. 100th St.; March 16 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; carnival free, booths negligible, $6 for “Purim Pandemonium.” (212-865-0600)
For the Family: The “Family Purim Carnival — From Shushan to Jerusalem!” transforms the 92nd Street Y into Esther and Mordechai’s Shushan, where the Purim story unfolded. An adaptation for children of Handel’s “Esther” oratorio follows the carnival. The 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave.; March 16, carnival 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; concert 2:30 p.m.; $15 carnival, $25 concert, $35 both, reservations recommended. (212-415-5500 or www.92ndsty.org)
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