Don’t look now but Purim is once again here. The raucous holiday commemorating Persian Jewry’s triumph over Haman’s evil forces started last night, March 16, and will be observed through tonight.
The following are a sampling of some of the Purim celebrations that have taken place or are going on around town this week. Enjoy!
Purim in Hampden, Hon
Thursday, March 10, 11 a.m.
Enoch Pratt Free Library-Hampden Branch
3641 Falls Rd.
Join the Pratt and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore for this festive holiday celebration geared toward children through age 5. It will include interactive songs, story-time and a holiday-themed craft-making. RSVP to ricohen@jcc.org.
Nu, What’s Cookin’?
Friday, March 11, Noon
Virtual
Join Israeli chef and food writer Vered Guttman as she prepares traditional and new culinary holiday favorites inspired by Polish, Israeli and Moroccan cuisines. Create the ultimate mishloach manot (gift baskets) or take your Purim party to the next level with gourmet treats. In partnership with the JCC and The Associated’s Insight Israel Forum.
Be Rash
Sunday, March 13, 10 a.m. to noon
Rash Field
201 Key Hwy., Downtown Baltimore
Join the downtown Baltimore Community Connectors group in celebrating Purim. This event will include cookies, coffee and juice. Plus, a reading of “Sammy Spider’s First Purim,” as well as a make your own grogger demo. Email lizcotes@gmail.com with any questions. This event is weather-permitting.
Shomrei & Shushan
Sunday, March 13, 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Shomrei Emunah Congregation
6221 Greenspring Ave., Cheswolde
Come for the moon bounces, petting, zoo, face-painting, obstacles courses, pony rides, food and drinks and costume competition. For information, email shomreiyouth21@gmail.com
Purim? Da!
Sunday, March 13, 1 to 3 p.m.
Weinberg Park Heights JCC
5700 Park Heights Ave., Northwest Baltimore
The Jewish Matryoshka Project will present a Purim spiel with director Natasha Mirny. Russian-speaking families are invited on a theatrical journey of Megillat Esther. Ideal for children ages 4-10, and their parents and siblings of any age.
A Royal Time
Monday, March 14, 5 p.m.
Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC Café
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
The Royal Purim ball will be an Israeli-style Purim party with Queen Esther and King Achashverosh. Activities include Israeli dancing, crafts and face-painting. Come as your favorite hero for a costume contest. A trivia contest will be held at 5:30. Bring donations of candy that will be packaged for senior adults. Presented by the JCC and the Baltimore Shinshinim.
Through The Years
Wednesday. March 16, 5:15 p.m.
Chizuk Amuno Congregation
8100 Stevenson Rd., Pikesville
Join Chizuk for a “Roaring Good Time” and dress up according to your favorite decades. Outdoor festivities include a ‘50s diner (grilled cheese, tomato soup, French fries and root beer floats), a ‘70s disco party, an ‘80s-themed photo booth, a face painter and a wandering magician, art projects and more. For information, visit https://www.chizukamuno.org/event/purim-extravaganza—through-the-years.html.
‘Here We Go Again‘
Wednesday, March 16, 7 p.m.
Beth Israel Congregation
3706 Crondall Lane, Owings Mills
Beth Israel will hold its Purim megillah reading and “Mama Mia” shpiel, featuring the music of Swedish pop group ABBA. This event will be live and on Zoom. For information, visit bethisrael-om.org/.
Prohibition-Era Purim
Wednesday, March 16, 6 to 9 p.m.
Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Hotel
550 Light St., Downtown Baltimore
“YJP Roaring 20s Party” will be presented by the Chabad of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Chabad of South Baltimore. Activities include a speed Megillah reading, buffet dinner, an illusionist show and costume contest.
Just … Fab!
Wednesday, March 16, 7 p.m.
Beth El Congregation
8101 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
Beth El will hold a Beatles-themed Purim shpiel and read Megillat Esther to the tunes of the Fab Four. “All You Need is Love” and a costume, mask and grogger. The fun includes a special Purim trivia game show hosted by executive director Ben Wachstein.
Purim Pandemonium
Thursday, March 17, 8 to 10 a.m. and 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC Lobby
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
and
Weinberg Park Heights JCC
5700 Park Heights Ave., Northwest Baltimore
A holiday party featuring raffles, giveaways and lots of excitement in each lobby of the JCC throughout the day. Presented by The Associated and the JCC.
Rock the Block!
Thursday, Marc 17, 5:15 p.m.
Beth Tfiloh Congregation
3300 Old Court Rd., Pikesville
Head on down to “Rabbi Row” (aka, Old Forest Road in Pikesville) for Beth Tfiloh’s first-ever outdoor Purim Seudah. The synagogue’s clergy are hosting this fun, festive BBQ dinner with music and outdoor carnival games for kids. For information, visit bethtfiloh.com/religious-services/holidays/purim.
Grease is the Word
Sunday, March 20, 10 a.m. to Noon
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation Parking Lot
7401 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
Join BHC for songs, a “Grease”-themed shpiel and a reading from the Scroll of Esther before heading out to the parking lot for a Purim carnival with games and crafts. Bring canned goods for the local nonprofit GEDCO to compete in a Tin Can Rolling Derby. Brunch will be available for purchase from local food trucks. For information and volunteer opportunities, contact Pam Mandell at pmandell@baltimorehebrew.org
Hamantaschen in HoCo
Sunday, March 20, 1 to 3 p.m.
8621 Robert Fulton Drive, Columbia
Join the Jewish Federation of Howard County for its 30th annual “Purim Palooza.” Games and activities for all ages, glitter tattoos, snacks from Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee truck, PJ Library Book Swap, hamantaschen to purchase from Sunflower Bakery, and more. For information, visit jewishhowardcounty.org/purim.
Sunday, March 20, 3 to 5 p.m.
Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation
7310 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
This year’s HSOSC Purim carnival will be back in-person. Come in your best costumes for an afternoon full of fun and laughter. Carnival games, prizes, music and crafts can be found in both the auditorium and conference room, along with music by DJ Michael Pachino; up-close magic and balloon twisting by Jon Jensen; stilt-walkers from Talk of the Town; a moon bounce; and more. Following the carnival, guests are invited to stay for a live in-person concert featuring singer-songwriter Nelly’s Echo. The carnival will take place indoors (3 to 4:30 p.m.) in the Bluestein Auditorium and in the conference room, all attendees will be required to wear masks. Food trucks and the concert will take place outdoors (4:30 to 5:30, under the tent and on the front lawn). For information, visit hsosc-baltimore.org/purim-2022.
The donation will be directed to help foster research conducted by faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and to advance innovative treatments.
Scholar Izabella Tabarovsky will speak at the “Generations of Courage” program on Apr. 26 at The Associated's Goldsmith campus.
A Baltimore native and Pikesville resident, Freedman had the distinction of being the longest-serving employee in the history of the State of Maryland.
House Bill 661 is the culmination of a collaborative effort led by Del. Sarah S. Wolek (D-16th), Del. Jared S. Solomon (D-18th) and Sen. Shelly L. Hettleman (D-11th).