Family Purim Celebrations in New Jersey

3/15/16 - By Rachel Sokol

This year, the festive holiday of Purim begins in the evening of Wednesday, March 23rd, and ends in the evening of Thursday, March 24th. Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia who escaped the wrath of Prime Minister Haman. The holiday honors a brave Queen named Esther, her defiant but dedicated cousin Mordechai, and King Ahasuerus, who protected the Jewish people from Haman. A Purim custom is for children (and adults!) to dress up and disguise themselves—an allusion to the fact that the miracle of Purim was disguised in natural garments.  Below is a list of Purim events in New Jersey the whole family can attend. Have fun dressing up and don't forget to pick up some hamantaschen!

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Congregation B’Nai Israel, Rumson
March 20, 2016
A family Purim Party with a carnival, gift auction with kids baskets, jumpy castle and a Jr. Jumpy for tots. Yummy sweets such as cotton candy, sno cones, a Haman Pinata (back by popular demand), Costume Parade, Scavenger Hunt, chances to win a goldfish, and more. General Admission is Free. Best for kids ages 2 to twelve.

JCC MetroWest, West Orange
March 24, 2016
Lots of Purim events at JCC MetroWest! Community Megillah Reading, Kid-Friendly Programming with pizza, drinks & hamantaschen, Make Your Own Grogger & Crown, Bean Bag Toss & Can Knock Down, Hit Haman, Bowling/Soccer, Hamantaschen, Kings & Queens, Obstacle Course, and more.  Come dressed in your favorite costume and be ready to party.  Call 973-530-3915 to RSVP.

Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael, Morristown
March 23, 2016
There will be a Purim Dinner at MJCBY in Morristown, hoagies followed by Maʼariv and a Megillat Esther reading at 7pm. The evening includes a presentation of "Purim Wars" by religious school students. Services are free and open to the community. Hamantaschen will be served. Vegetarian and gluten-free dinner options are available. RSVP to mia@mjcby.org by March 13.

Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly
March 20, 2016
Families are invited to the Rubach Family Purim Carnival at Kaplen JCC in Tenafly. Kids can dress in costume and enjoy train rides, inflatables, crafts, games and prizes. There will be character visits, cotton candy, and more. A costume parade will take place at 2:45 p.m. The carnival opens at 12 noon for families with children with special needs. Suggested entrance donation of $1 per person or non-perishable food item to be donated to the Center for Food Action.

Chabad of Union County, Fanwood
March 24, 2016
Chabad of Union County is hosting a "Fiddler On The Roof"-themed Purim event. The afternoon starts with a Megillah reading at 4:30 p.m. followed by a celebration at 5: 00 p.m. Activities include crafts, a petting zoo, music by B'Nai Jazz and dinner. Call or go online to RSVP.

Chabad of Upper Passaic County (Haskell)
March 24, 2016
The Chabad of Upper Passaic County hosts Purim in the Wild West. The evening starts with a Megillah reading at 6:15pm followed by a buffet dinner, hamantashen,crafts for kids and live entertainment by Cowboy Keith. For information contact info@jewishhighlands.org. The event is open to the community. Free!

Gottesman RTW Academy (Randolph)
Sun Mar 27, 2016
It's a Purim-Palooza! Head over to the Gottesman RTW Academy for a PJ Library Purim party for pre-schoolers. Kids will make their own crown and scepter and bake their own Hamentaschen before hearing a special holiday story. Come in costume! Register: RSVP here. Event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ages 2-6.

Photo: JCC on the Palisades

Originally published 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Places featured in this article:


Congregation B'Nai Israel

Chabad Upper Passaic County

Chabad of Union County

Kaplen JCC on the Palisades