Editor’s Note: Jmore and The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore recently announced a partnership initiative for March to raise more online donations for the federation’s annual campaign. Throughout the month, Jmore will match all donations, dollar for dollar, made online to The Associated, via associated.org/addsup. In addition, match donors will receive a complimentary year-long home subscription to Jmore. The initiative aims to encourage online donations to The Associated from contributors living in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area and beyond. The annual campaign serves as the primary fundraising vehicle for all of the Associated’s agencies and programs — such as the recent “Prep for Purim” event — benefiting communities in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area, across the nation and internationally.
As a young child growing up in French Morocco, Tsipi Renbaum fondly remembers how much she looked forward each year to celebrating Purim, which will be observed this Saturday night and Sunday, Mar. 11-12. From the thrill of putting on lipstick, to the fun of dressing up as Queen Esther, to the bonding over baking hamantaschen with her mother, Purim evokes some of her most wonderful childhood memories.
Later, when her family moved to Israel, Renbaum was amazed at how the holiday was celebrated by the entire country. The streets, the schools and the homes were filled with jubilation and acted out in school plays, city parades, street festivals and parties.
That’s why Renbaum shared her childhood holiday memories and traditions on Wednesday night, Mar. 7, at the Weinberg Park Heights Jewish Community Center at Associated Women’s “Prep for Purim” event. More than 270 people attended the gathering, which Renbaum co-chaired with her daughter-in-law, Stephani Renbaum, and Sora Greenlinger and her daughter, Rena Greenlinger. Among those in attendance was Tali Rozenson, an Israeli solider visiting from Ashkelon, Baltimore’s sister Israeli city.
Women and children gathered to make hamantaschen and then take them home for holiday baking and sharing with their families. Attendees were also encouraged to bring a donation of canned vegetables to be included in mishloach manot (Purim baskets), which were assembled for residents of Weinberg Woods and Weinberg Gardens & Terrace. The project is being led by The Associated’s Jewish Volunteer Connection.
“When I was asked to co-chair this event, I remembered the beautiful experiences I had with my mother celebrating the holiday, and I wanted to share this with my children and grandchildren,” says Renbaum, who lives in Owings Mills. “What’s been most special to me is the excitement I’ve seen from my granddaughter, Sarah. When she heard I was co-chairing this project, she wanted to be a part of it, presenting ideas and recruiting her friends. This is why I do it.”
Purim commemorates the time period in which the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation by Mordecai and his cousin, Queen Esther. When learning about the royal adviser Haman’s plot to kill the Jews, Mordecai urged Esther to talk to her husband, King Ahasuerus, and persuade him to change the lethal decree.
“I see mothers, daughters, sisters, grandchildren, cousins coming out to this event to share in the Jewish traditions of Purim,” says Renbaum. “For me, it’s about l’dor v’dor [generation to generation].”
Learn more at associated.org/hamantaschen.
Hamantaschen Recipe
1 1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
6 tablespoons orange juice 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (12 ounce) strawberry, raspberry, apricot, chocolate or poppy seed filling
Directions:
- I n a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in orange juice and vanilla. Mix in baking powder, then gradually stir in flour until dough forms a ball. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch circles using a cookie cutter or drinking glass. Place circles on the prepared cookie sheets. Spoon 1 teaspoon filling onto the center of each circle. Pinch circle sides to form a triangle, covering as much of the filling as possible.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool before serving.
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