Despite the rather harrowing circumstances of the historical episode it immortalizes, Purim is a groovy time to get your silly on.
This year, the holiday also known as the “Festival of Lots,” commemorating the rescue of Persian Jewry around 357 BCE, will be celebrated Mar. 9-10. (Boo, Haman! Yay, Esther, Mordechai and, nu, maybe even Vashti!)
All around town, Jews of all ages will be noshin’ on hamantashen and gathering at shuls and other venues for the annual carnivals, megillah readings, costume parties, spiels and assorted mayhem. Here are 19 — yes, chai and one for good measure! — eclectic offerings in the area for your Purim revelry. Chag sameach!
Purim Party Extravaganza
Thursday, Mar. 5, 6-8 p.m.
Park Heights Jewish Community Center
5700 Park Heights Ave., Northwest Baltimore
The Park Heights JCC will host the “Purim Party Extravaganza.” Enjoy hamantashen, dance the night away and play the part of a carny at this annual Purim soiree, co-sponsored by the JCC, Jewish Community Services and Repair the World Baltimore. Volunteers will help run carnival games, manage the photo booth, distribute prizes and more. Volunteers are invited to arrive at 6 p.m. (before the party kicks off at 6:30) for a pizza dinner and discussion. For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/jewish-community-center-jcc-park-heights/purim-party-extravaganza/2804229519637392/.
A ‘Star Wars’ Purim (May The Force …)
Friday, Mar. 6, 5:30-9 p.m.
Temple Isaiah
12200 Scaggsville Rd., Fulton
Temple Isaiah, nestled in the Howard County hamlet of Fulton, will journey to a “galaxy far, far away” to celebrate Shabbat and Purim with a “munchkin minyan” at 5:30, followed by a veggie or dairy dinner, a megillah reading and a “Star Wars”-themed parody spiel at 7. Costumes are encouraged, lightsabers and R2-D2 action figures not included. For information, visit https://templeisaiah.org/calendar/shabbat-service-8-2020-03-06/
Little Lots of Horror: A Hinenu Purim Party
Saturday, Mar. 7, 7-11 p.m.
Peabody Heights Brewery
401 E. 30th Street, Waverly
Hinenu: The Baltimore Justice Shtiebl presents “Little Lots of Horrors,” a musical Purim spiel extravaganza at Peabody Heights Brewery. There will be a rousing performance from the shtiebl’s house klezmer band, a raucous DJ set from Steph Mavronis and Mark Gunnery, and for the first time ever, Hinenu Bingo! Vegetarian potluck dinner. Costumes encouraged, bring a friend. Outside alcohol (including wine, hard liquor) is not permitted at Peabody Heights Brewery. Suggested costume themes: kitschy-campy/’80s attire/horror/Broadway musicals. For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/286290332345862/. (FYI, on Monday, Mar. 9, Hinenu will have a Megillat Ester reading/song & shtick at 7 p.m., with a vegetarian potluck at 6, at the Homewood Friends Meeting House, 3107 N. Charles St. All are welcome. For information, email rabbi@hinenubaltimore.org)
The Big Bang Purim Spiel
Saturday, Mar. 7, 7-9:30 p.m.
Bolton Street Synagogue
212 W. Cold Spring Lane, Roland Park
Join the Bolton Street Synagogue’s Purim Players for their annual Purim spiel, “The Big Bang Purim!” Join BSS for laughter, drinks and a little nosh. All are welcome! The synagogue’s Purim carnival and celebration will be held the next morning from 9:30 to noon. For information, visit https://z-m-www.facebook.com/events/132026858179710/
Sensory-Friendly Carnival
Sunday, Mar. 8, 9-10:15 a.m.
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
7401 Park Heights Ave. Pikesville
BHC will hold a sensory-friendly Purim carnival that will minimize light, sounds and tactile stimulation while maximizing the fun with games, face-painting and cotton candy. RSVP is required. For information, visit https://www.baltimorehebrew.org/events/2020/03/08/purim-team/sensory-friendly-carnival/
Purim Palooza — HoCo-Style
Sunday, Mar. 8, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Long Reach High School
6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia
The Jewish Federation of Howard County will host its 28th annual “Purim Palooza,” a community-wide carnival commemorating the holiday. Costumes are encouraged. The carnival features games, prizes, a photo booth, face-painting, an Israel Escape Room, food, and more. The program kicks off with a community celebration at 10:30 a.m., hosted by local synagogues and religious schools. This is followed from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by the carnival. Exhibitors will display local businesses and organizations that cater to kids and young families. Purchase wristbands for unlimited games and activities either in advance or at the door. For information, visit https://www.jewishhowardcounty.org/calendar/purim-palooza-2020
Harford County Purim Party!
Sunday, Mar. 8, 11:30 a.m.
Temple Adas Shalom/Harford Jewish Center
8 N. Earlton Rd., Havre de Grace
Join Temple Adas Shalom and its new spiritual leader, Rabbi John Franken, for the congregational Purim party, featuring “Vashti’s Dance Party,” a “Haman Pinata,” “Mordechai Cups,” food, a photo booth, face painting and more. For information, visit https://harfordjewishcenter.org/ .
Maryland Mishloach Manot
Sunday, Mar. 8, 3-5 p.m.
Jews United for Justice
2221 Maryland Ave., Floor 2, Baltimore
The Baltimore office of Jews United for Justice will prepare hamantaschen and mishloach manot (Purim gift bags) to make the case for social justice in Maryland. Join JUFJ to assemble gift bags and hear the latest on bills supported by the group for immigrant justice, paid family and medical leave, police reform and real criminal justice. This event will be held at the JUFJ Baltimore office. (The gift baskets will be delivered on Tuesday, Mar. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon to the Lowe House Office Building, 6 Bladen St. in Annapolis.). For information, visit https://jufj.org/event/md-mm/.
Shushan & Shomrei
Sunday, Mar. 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Congregation Shomrei Emunah
6221 Greenspring Ave., Northwest Baltimore
In the Shomrei Social Hall, the congregation will hold its annual Purim carnival, with games, booths, a moonbounce, dinner and entertainment. For information, visit https://www.shomreiemunah.org/.
Purim Spiel and Celebration
Monday, Mar. 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Beth Am Synagogue
2501 Eutaw Place, Reservoir Hill
Beth Am will celebrate Purim with a dairy or fish dinner, service with megillah reading, followed by the “The Spiel That Goes Wrong.” For information, visit https://bethambaltimore.org/event/beth-ams-purim-spiel/?instance_id=11289
Totally Rad Purim — Oy Gevalt!
Monday, Mar. 9, 5:50-7 p.m.
Beth Israel Synagogue
3706 Crondall Lane, Owings Mills
Beth Israel will present a “Totally Rad ’80s Spiel and Megillah Reading,” as well as a Purim carnival. A dairy dinner will be available for purchase, bring your own bottle of holiday cheer. For information, visit https://www.bethisrael-om.org/
Back to the ’80s
Monday, Mar. 9, 5:30-10:30 p.m.
Beth El Congregation
8101 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
As the great Huey Lewis once sang with his News, “Gotta get back in time.” Get out your Izod polo shirts, jumpsuits, Members Only jackets and leg warmers! For its Purim celebration, Beth El goes “Back to the ’80s,” with its carnival, gift basket making and a genuine ’80s Museum. For information, visit https://www.bethelbalto.com/event/Back-to-the-80s#
Big Bash in the City of Clustered Spires
Monday, Mar. 9, 8:30-10 p.m.
Beth Sholom Congregation
1011 N. Market Street, Frederick
Let down your hair and dress up as your favorite character for the synagogue’s annual Purim bash. After the megillah reading, stick around for delish desserts and drinks, great music and fun. No charge, but donations welcomed. For information, visit https://www.bethsholomfrederick.org/event/purim-bash.html.
Purim in TV Land
Monday, Mar. 9, 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Mar. 10, 5 p.m.
Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation
7000 Rockland Hills Drive, Greengate
Dress as your favorite television character for a special megillah reading, costume contest, hamantaschen bar, moon-bounce, piñata and other holiday silliness. For information, visit http://www.mmae.org/
Red Carpet Purim
Monday, Mar. 9, 6:15-9 p.m.
Chizuk Amuno Congregation
8100 Stevenson Road, Pikesville
Chizuk Amuno will roll out the red carpet treatment for its shining stars this Purim. The paparazzi will be waiting to capture costumes of Hollywood glam, Oscar-worthy glitter or your favorite heroes and super-villains on the congregational red carpet. The VIP after-party will feature music, dancing, face painting, a photo booth, food and paparazzi ready to take your picture. For information, visit https://www.chizukamuno.org/events/a-red-carpet-purim/
Shushan Street & Seudah
Monday, Mar. 9, 7:25-10 p.m.
Beth Tfiloh Synagogue/Dahan Community School
3300 Old Court Rd., Pikesville
Beth Tfiloh will hold its traditional megillah reading in the Epstein Chapel and a multi-media megillah reading in the Dahan Sanctuary, followed by the Shushan Street Carnival in the auditorium and Tuvin Hall. At 8:30, there will be an additional megillah reading in the Epstein Chapel. For information about all of the BT’s Purim events, visit https://www.bethtfiloh.com/religious-services/holidays/purim.
Megillah Reading & Party
Monday, Mar. 9, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
B’nai Israel Congregation
27 Lloyd St. East Baltimore
Join Purim revelers for this megillah reading and a big party (board games, trivia, food, falafel from Yesh), and fun for all ages at the historic shul in Jonestown, next to the Jewish Museum of Maryland. For information, visit https://www.jewishdowntown.org/
A Down Under Purim
Tuesday, Mar. 10, 5 p.m.
Owings Mills Chabad Center
11299 Owings Mills Blvd., #202
Celebrate an Australian-themed Purim (no worries, Mate) with dinner, a multi-media megillah reading, live music and activities. Register online. For information, visit https://www.chabadom.com/.
Making Waves — Purim Under The Sea
Tuesday, Mar. 10, 5:30 p.m.
Chabad Jewish Center of Carroll County
1332 Londontown Blvd., Eldersburg
The Chabad of Carroll County gets nice and nautical with “Purim Under the Sea,” featuring a megillah reading, live sea animals, dinner, crafts, music and dancing. Don’t forget your costume! For information, visit https://www.jewishcarrollcounty.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/3663445/jewish/PURIM-UNDER-THE-SEA.htm.
Wishing you and your family a freilichen Purim!
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