By Cantor Emma Lutz
This Wednesday evening, we mark Rosh Hodesh Adar, the beginning of the most joyful month on the Jewish calendar. Adar is known as the happiest time because our festive holiday of Purim falls this month. The joy of this both silly and meaningful holiday is meant to extend throughout the entire month of Adar, a time when we rejoice in our freedom as Jews, celebrate the heroism of our matriarch, Esther, and tout our ancestors’ defeat of the evil villain, Haman.
There are four mitzvot associated with the holiday of Purim: the reading of the Megillah or the scroll of Esther, which recounts the story of Purim; the festival Purim meal, an opportunity to come together to eat and celebrate with family and friends; sending gifts, mishloach manot, to our loved ones and neighbors; and lastly, sharing gifts with the poor, matanot l’evyonim, giving to those whose lives may not be as joyful during this season as our own.
Here at Stephen Wise Temple, there will be many opportunities to lean into the joy of the month of Adar and to fulfill all four of these mitzvot in the weeks to come. There will be fun for the entire family at our Purim Carnival on February 25, an epic celebration including food, rides, games, and a Megillah reading by our sixth grade students. On February 28, we will hold a Purim for Grown-Ups party with merry music and a festive meal. And on March 1, our Young Adult Division (YAD) will throw a Purim costume concert here at Wise for our 20s/30s members. We will be sending Purim care packages to our college-aged members and will be collecting donations for our Purim Tikkun Olam drive (more info at WiseLA.org/Purim).
Join for these Purim events and festivities, and may your Adar be filled with laughter, mitzvot, and joy!