Purim Holiday Spirit is Upon Us

By MICHELE DARGAN
Daily News Staff Writer

Friday, February 26, 2010

Meghan McCarthy
(enlarge photo)
Rebbetzin Hindel Levitin, at right, leads Mirel Levitin, 4, Joshua Haik, 4, Rivka Levitin, 6, and Victoria Egan, 4, in Purim songs Tuesday at the Palm Beach Jewish Center.

RELATED LINKS
Palm Beach Purim observances Saturday and Sunday


In keeping with the joyous spirit of Purim, children from the Palm Beach Synagogue will deliver food baskets to the ill and homebound who are unable to attend synagogue.

Not only will they deliver the baskets — but they will deliver them in Palm Beach style.

The synagogue has rented a stretch Hummer limousine, which seats 22 people, for the children to ride in while making deliveries.

"It's a day of merriment and festivities," said Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of the Palm Beach Synagogue. "Purim is about being over the top."

Costumes, noisemakers, partying and the reading of the Megillah (scroll of Esther) are an integral part of the joyous 24-hour Jewish holiday of Purim, which begins Saturday night at sundown.

Celebrations include giving gifts of food and drink to friends, donating to the poor and a celebratory meal.

The holiday is based on the Book of Esther, in which Esther rescues the Jews from elimination. The Scripture tells of Haman, the most powerful adviser to Persia's King Ahasuerus, who plotted to kill all Jews and their leader, Mordechai.

Esther, the Jewish wife of the gentile king of Persia, foiled Haman's plans to kill the Jews. Instead, Haman was hanged and the Jews were saved.

"Let's Fiesta" is the theme of the Purim party at the Palm Beach Synagogue, 120 N. County Road. Festivities begin 7 p.m. Saturday.

"Purim in the White House" is the theme at the Palm Beach Jewish Center, 205 Royal Palm Way. Impressionist and comedian Bob Deverti will entertain at the Purim party, beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday.

"We chose the Purim in the White House theme because we are hoping that the interesting theme will pique the interest of the Jews in our community and excite them to participate in a Purim celebration, which is a mitzvah," said Rabbi Zalman Levitin. "Having a twist, something different and original, makes what might be a typical Purim feast into something fun and entertaining."

Temple Emanu-El will have a Purim pasta dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by a carnival at 6:15 p.m. Saturday at the synagogue, 190 N. County Road.

One of the best themes of Purim is about the Jewish people coming together, said Rabbi Michael Resnick of Temple Emanu-El.

"In the beginning of the Book of Esther, the Jewish people are not unified," Resnick said. "At the end, they come together. The whole message is that we're all one people no matter where we are in the world, no matter what movement of Judaism we subscribe to. We are one people with a common heritage and a shared destiny. That's one of the messages of Purim that's worth celebrating."

The New Synagogue of Palm Beach, held in the roof garden of the Palm Beach Hotel, 235 Sunrise Ave., will have children's festivities — including a clown, games and food — after the 7:15 p.m. Megillah reading Saturday.

"As we celebrate the joy of Purim, the triumph of good over evil, we are filled with hope and optimism regarding the future of our world," said Reuven Blank, president of the New Synagogue.