a family carnival! FREE Sun, FEBRUARY 24 MARINJCC.ORG/PURIM Purim celebrates the events described in the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther). It is a tale of an all-powerful king, a beautiful and courageous heroine, a loyal cousin and a villain who is foiled by his own evil plans. The story has a familiar theme: the unlikely triumph of the Jews against a tyrannical enemy who sought to destroy them. The word Purim means “lots” and refers to the casting of lots to determine the day that the Jews were to be destroyed by the evil Haman. The custom is to blot out his name by drowning it with noise every time it is mentioned in the Megillat Esther. EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT... What is Purim? How is it Celebrated? On Purim, Jews go to synagogue to hear the reading of the Megillat Esther. Additionally, Purim is celebrated by having a feast featuring much food and drink, by masquerades, and by making fun of everything. This tradition is explained in the Scroll itself where it says: “and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy...” (Esther 9:22) In the Purim story everything gets turned upside down. It is also customary to give mishloach manot (gifts to friends) and tzedakah (charity) to at least two needy recipients. Adar 15, 5773 / February 24, 2013 200 N. SAN PEDRO RD, SAN RAFAEL | 415.444.8000 | MARINJCC.ORG/PURIM ® 9:30-11:30am Family Connections FREE for families with 0-to-3-year-olds and their siblings Purim Costume Party! Music, art, cooking and parent education. RSVP to Melody: [email protected] 11:30am-2:30pm Purim Palooza FREE Family Carnival for All Ages OUTDOOR COURTYARD • Carnival Games & Bounce House HOYTT THEATER • Delicious Food for Purchase • Performance by Buki the Clown • Brandeis Hillel Day School Band • Congregation Kol Shofar Purim Shpiel (exerpt) • JCHS A Capella Performance from Jew Man Group GALLERY • Purim Stories with The PJ Library ® LOBBY & ATRIUM • JCC Camp Kehillah Prize Station • Balloon Animals & Face Painting with Buki the Clown • Arts & Crafts Bring Non-perishable Food for Tzedakah (charity)