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Purim!

Haman...Boo!......Mordecai.....Hooray! 

In 2008 Flower Power and the 60s was our 60th Anniversary Purim theme! Everyone had a cool, groovy time. As usual, refreshments and Hamantaschen followed the chaos!

Pictured below is how we celebrated Purim in 2004, Bob The Builder style in our old building before it was demolished! In 2005 we read it to the Megillah Rap! And our children made face masks, greggers, fancy plates and hamentaschen! In 2007 the Bimah became the Tardis as Dr Who came to HWPS! 

Purim is a celebration of the events described in the Book of Esther, which we read on the 14th of Adar. It's a time for feasting and merrymaking as we celebrate the survival of the Jewish people, despite the attempts of our enemies to destroy us. We drown out Haman's name each time it is read out, enjoy ourselves to the maximium, including wearing costumes and even getting drunk!

Purim is derived from the lot (Pur) cast by Haman to determine the day on which the Jews would be exterminated. We eat Hamantaschen, three cornered cakes filled with poppy seeds and other fruits.

In the story, Mordecai, Esther's cousin, refuses to bow before Haman, the vizier of King Ahasuerus, and as a consequence Haman seeks to annihilate the Jewish people. The actions of Mordecai and the courage of Esther avert tragedy and it is Haman who is executed.

Hatred of minorities existed then and still exists today. Anti-Semitism has not disappeared, but despite all our past pain the Jewish people have survived.

Below are some slightly older Purim themes. Can you guess what they were? Come and join us at Harrow and Wembley for our annual Erev Purim Spiel!!

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