Purim

Dear Shtiebelers,

 

Purim begins Monday night, March 2, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate together!  

 

Don’t forget to sign up for our annual Seudah, one of the highlights of the Shtiebel year: heimish, lively, and open to all. This year, the theme is Pierogi-fest - featuring homemade pierogies and other delicacies. The Purim joy is open to all with a required RSVP. Sponsorships welcome.

RSVP for the PierogiFest Purim Seudah

 

Below you'll find everything you need to navigate the mitzvot and customs of Purim, plus a full schedule of Megillah readings and Shtiebel Purim events. As always, if you have any questions or need support fulfilling these mitzvot, please don't hesitate to reach out.

 

Let’s infuse a sense of simcha into the world this Adar and this Purim - wishing you a freilichin Purim filled with joy, connection, and celebration! 

 

Warmly,

 

The Shtiebel Team
 

Purim 5786 - Schedule

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Monday, March 2, 2026 - Taanit Esther

5:12am - Fast Begins

7:15am - Shacharit at the Shtiebel 

6:30pm - Maariv & Megillah Reading
Join us for a community-wide Megillah reading. All are welcome to come in costume! Light refreshments available after the reading. Fast ends at 6:34pm.

6:30pm - Sensory-Friendly Megillah Reading
Join us for a gentle, inclusive Megillah reading designed for those who benefit from a sensory-considerate environment. Please expect a lower volume reading with minimal noise, soft lighting, and fidgets available. 

6:34pm - Fast Ends

8:30pm - Late Megillah Reading
Couldn't make the earlier readings? This speedy reading is for you!

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Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - Purim

7:00am - Shacharit & Early Megillah Reading
3:00pm - Community Megillah Reading
4:00pm-6:30pm - A Purim Seudah: Pierogi Fest! RSVP here.

Join us for:
Kids' Purim Show (ages 0-5 - begins at 4pm)
Costume Runway and Games and Crafts for All
Purim-o-Grams with Custom Poetry available 

4:45pm: Dinner is served: homemade pierogies with delicious fillings, pickles, borscht, and more!

6:30pm - Maariv

 

Assorted Laws of Purim
 

Parshat Zachor
On the Shabbat before Purim, we read Parshat Zachor. According to many opinions, hearing this reading is a biblical obligation and all should be present to hear it. We will read Parshat Zachor in the main tefillah on Shabbat, and a second time before kiddush begins. 

All Jewish adults are obligated to read or hear Megillat Esther from a kosher scroll at night (after nightfall) and again in the daytime. The mitzvah can also be fulfilled by listening to someone else reading from a scroll.
 

Taanit Esther
This year Ta’anit Esther, the Fast of Esther, is observed on Monday, March 2. It commemorates the three-day fast that Queen Esther, Mordechai, and the Jewish people undertook before Esther approached King Achashverosh without a summons to plead for her people's lives. In recent years, it has become the International Day of the Agunah, a moment for advocating for those women living in our communities who are rendered agunot, or chained, to their former husbands.   
 

Machatzit Hashekel / The Half-Shekel 
It is customary in the month of Adar to give a "half-shekel" as a remembrance of the tax in the times of the Temple. At the Shtiebel, you will find coins that you can use for this custom before Mincha on Taanit Esther and on Purim morning.

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Matanot L'Evyonim / Gifts to Those in Need
Purim is an incredible opportunity to open our hands and hearts and create bonds of friendship and mutual support. Give Matanot L'Evyonim here. Donations accepted until 12:00pm on Purim day. The sooner, the better, so we can ensure that Shtiebelers who could use extra support receive it as early as possible.  

If financial support would be helpful to you this Purim, please don't hesitate to reach out through a simple message in reply to this email. No questions asked. Let your community support you in making this Purim one of true simcha. This process is completely anonymous and comes directly through the Rabbanit.
 

Mishloach Manot  + the Shtiebel Mishloach Manot Table
The mitzvah of Mishloach Manot is to give two different ready-to-eat foods to at least one person on Purim Day. This is a great opportunity to not only share Purim treats with close friends but also to extend kindness to someone who might not otherwise receive one. 

Although mourners are obligated to send Mishloach Manot, they should keep them simple. In general we refrain from sending Mishloach Manot to those in their year of mourning, and it is customary to send to the mourner's spouse or other family members. If a mourner receives a Mishloach Manot package, they may accept it. For any questions or clarifications, please feel free to contact Rabbanit Fruchter.

Throughout Purim day, there will be a table in the Shtiebel entryway where you can drop off mishloach manot for specific community members, and pick up anything left for you. Just label your package with the recipient's name and leave it on the table. We'll do our best to make sure it gets to the right hands! Please note: The Shtiebel cannot take responsibility for items left at the table!  The two food items may have the same blessing or different blessings. Need an idea of someone new to deliver to? Don't hesitate to reply to this email and we'll send you some names! 

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The Seudah 

Purim is celebrated with a joyous feast. The Shtiebel festivities begin at 4:00pm with a Kid’s Purim show and dinner will be served at 4:45pm. Join us for pierogies, community, and celebration! RSVP here.