Families turned out for the Family Purim Celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook on March 17.
Purim commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from the antagonist Haman, who had plans to kill them. The courage of Esther, a beautiful queen of Jewish heritage, saved the Jews.
The Thursday early evening event was open to the community and included the reading from the children’s Megillah scroll (the Book of Esther), two costume parades, songs, the Purim story and sweet treats including Hamantaschen, filled triangular cookies traditionally made for celebrating Purim.
“Purim is a holiday where things are turned upside down,” said Congregation Beth Shalom Rabbi Aaron Melman of Northbrook. “It is a time to be silly, to just enjoy life.”
The Jewish holiday is celebrated each spring and happened to fall this year on St. Patrick’s Day.
“As Jews who have no Irish heritage … there are Jews in Ireland … but for most of us who don’t (have Irish heritage), St. Patrick’s Day goes relatively unnoticed,” said Congregation Beth Shalom Rabbi Aaron Melman of Northbrook who wore a green leprechaun costume and beard for the occasion.
“The fact that it coincides this year (with Purim) is kind of interesting and gives us additional costume ideas as far as dressing up and to have a little bit of fun,” Melman said.
Children used hand clapping plastic noisemakers when the name of the evil Haman was mentioned during the storytelling and event.
Melman talked about the decision to invade Ukraine by Russia where, “half a world away, things are so challenging for millions of Ukrainians and families being separated and torn apart, and unfortunately dying,” he said.
Purim also reminds, “to keep ourselves grounded by not letting ourselves get too lofty,” Melman said, “and think of those who are suffering.
“Part of the tradition on Purim is to blot out the name of Haman because he sought to destroy the Jewish people in ancient Persia, and today, it’s not all that different than perhaps trying to blot out the name of Vladimir Putin who is seeking to simply destroy people for no reason, other than pure hatred,” Melman said.
“And so we see, unfortunately, all too often history repeating itself.
“So it’s (Purim) an opportunity for us to just take joy in our tradition and the pride that we feel as Jews and celebrate that,” Melman said.
People were encouraged to bring a box of rice for donation to a local food pantry.
The Kamensky Sanctuary accommodated families who were required to wear PPE masks with rows of seating alternately taped off for social distancing.
Families sat together and played together. Parents and grandparents danced with children in their seats or in aisles.
“I just want them to learn more about Purim … so they can know about part of our culture and our traditions,” said Alyssa Weisbach of Buffalo Grove, the parent of Gabriel Weisbach, 8, a second-grader and Aidan Weisbach, 5, a kindergartner.
The children’s grandparents Howard and Eileen Bengelsdorf, also of Buffalo Grove, attended.
The idea of Haman from the story of Purim has relevance to Ukraine, Howard Bengelsdorf said.
“I hope they get this resolved as soon as possible,” Howard Bengelsdorf said of the Ukrainian situation.
For Gloria Weinberg of Northbrook, the event was about making memories and spending time with her grandsons Joseph Weinberg, 7, a first-grader, and Michael Weinberg, 6, a kindergartner, both children from Northbrook.
“I love it,” the boys’ grandmother said about the Purim celebration.
“What could be better than having your grandchildren here?”
Learn more about Congregation Beth Shalom at https://www.bethshalomnb.org.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
