Families from around Fairfield County are invited to celebrate Purim this year with the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (CHJ). The annual party is scheduled for 11:30 AM-2:00 PM on Sunday, March 3, from 11:00-2:00 at Bedford Middle School, 88 North Ave., Westport.
There will be music, a play reading by Sunday School students acting out the story of Purim and of course fun carnival-style games and craft activities. Come hungry because there will be a pot-luck lunch and Hamantaschen-making too! Hamantaschen are triangle-shaped cookies or pastries that are traditionally eaten during Purim. The freshly baked treats will be ready to be taken home after the party.
In keeping with Purim tradition, everyone will hear the story of Purim. The party is BYOG, so be sure to also bring your own grogger (noisemaker)! Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. Esther is the heroine of the story who saves the Jews. When the story of Purim is told, listeners drown out the name of evil Haman with noisemakers.
This family-focused event is a great way for Jewish or interfaith families who are interested in the Congregation to learn more about the group. Non-members interested in attending the Purim party and learning more about CHJ should RSVP to (203) 226-5451 or email sundayschool@humanisticjews.org.
The Purim party is one of many CHJ holiday celebrations. The Sunday School will present a model Passover Seder on March 24, and CHJ will hold its community Seder on the second night of Passover, Saturday, March 26.
In addition to family-oriented events, the Congregation has a full calendar of activities for adults including Jewish holiday celebrations, Sunday morning Adult Education, Shabbat dinners, a wide array of Friday and Saturday evening programs, discussion groups, and a book group.
The CHJ Sunday School provides a contemporary Jewish education for children in kindergarten through Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Children learn about Jewish holidays, history, literature, and traditions of the Jewish people in a warm, participatory environment. The curriculum is enriched by Hebrew, music, art, dance, and crafts. Jewish and Humanistic values and their relation to interpersonal, social and environmental issues are explored in all areas of the curriculum. Small class size fosters involvement and learning. A supervised preschool playgroup is open to younger siblings 0-5 years of age. Sunday School registration is ongoing.
To learn more about the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism and its programs, log on to www.humanisticjews.org.
