The festival of Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.” It is celebrated with Megillah readings, gifts of food, charity, feasting and merriment. Purim begins at sundown on Feb. 28 through March 1.
Feb. 7
Costume Fun for Purim at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, 980 N. Alma School Road, Chandler from 4:30 to 5:15 pm. Listen to the story of Queen Esther, enjoy songs, and costume making. For more information, visit evjcc.org/event/costume-fun-for-purim.
Feb. 18
Purim Palooza at Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Guests are invited to come in costume or to make their own during this family-friendly celebration. Free for J family members; guests are $5 per family of up to four; $2 per additional person. Register at 480-634-4949 or [email protected].
Hamentaschen for Hunger at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. Fifth St., Tucson at 3:30 pm. Designed to satisfy both the body and the soul! Individuals or families make their own hamentaschen (take & bake). A set-up of dough (enough to make about 12 hamentaschen), rolling pins, cutters, fillings, a disposable baking pan and instructions are provided. Materials also available to decorate Shalach Manot bags and Purim greeting cards. “Set-ups” are $18 each; attendees may purchase more than one set-up. Proceeds will be divided between the Tucson Community Food Bank, LEKET (the national food bank of Israel) and CAI’s Youth Programs. Feel the mitzvah … do the mitzvah! RSVP a must by Feb. 12. For more information, visit caiaz.org/hamentaschen-for-hunger-feb-18-2018.
Feb. 22
Purim Baskets and Dinner Masquerade at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, 980 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Purim raffle baskets and dinner masquerade – fun for the whole family! For more information, visit evjcc.org/event/purim-baskets-and-dinner-masquerade.
Feb. 25
Community-wide Purim Carnival at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale from 11 am to 3 pm. A family friendly day of fun with carnival rides, bouncies, games, face painting, Teen Zone, Beer Garden, local performances and more! Presented by Flader Wealth Consulting Group-RBC Wealth Management. Everyone welcome! Admission is free. For information, VIP options and discounts on rides and attractions, visit vosjcc.org/purim2018.
Purim Carnival at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe from 10:30 am to 1 pm. Carnival games, petting zoo, face painting, Klezmer band, costume contests and more. Free admission; fee for activities. For more information, visit emanueloftempe.org.
Feb. 28
Purim Pandemonium at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. Fifth St., Tucson from 5 to 8 pm. Free fun, free food, free drinks… everyone is invited to come dressed in costume for this festive occasion. This year’s theme: Superheroes! Bounce houses, carnival games & prizes for kids. Pasta dinner with sides at 5:30 pm; The “whole” Megillah at 6:13pm; costume parade & hamentaschen. It’s all free; RSVP a must by Feb. 23. For more information, visit caiaz.org.
Purim in the Holy Land at Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Dr., Fountain Hills. Celebrate Purim Israeli style with shwarma, falafel, wines of Israel, Jaffa juice, Israeli music, photos at the Western Wall and more. For more information, visit jewishfountainhills.com.
March 1
Purim in China at Congregation Chofetz Chayim, 5150 E Fifth St., Tucson from 5 to 8 pm. Kosher Chinese food (no msg), wine (and even some chopped liver) and Chinese and Jewish entertainment. $25 adults, $12 ages 3-12, $15 students. For more information, visit https://www.tucsontorah.org/purim-reservationtucsontorah.org.
Purim in the Stadium at Chabad of Scottsdale, 10215 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale at 5 pm. Sport-themed activities, live music, Megillah reading and dinner. $30 adults, $20 children. For more information, visit chabadofscottsdale.org.
Purim Party for Seniors at 2110 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix at 10:30 am. Megillah reading, raffle, hamantashen, graggers, light bights and entertainment. For more information, contact Chani at 602-492-7670 or email [email protected].
March 4
Purim Extravaganza & Carnival at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Road, Tucson from 10 am to noon. Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon, Rabbi Batsheva Appel, Cantorial Soloist Marjorie Hochberg, and many volunteers will sing the story of Esther, Mordechai, King Ahashverosh and Haman as the story has never been sung before. Purim Carnival will follow immediately after. For more information, visit templeemanueltucson.org.
March 9
Purim Celebration at Jake’s Unlimited, 1830 E. Baseline Road, Mesa from 6:30 pm to 2 am. Or Adam presents this event with unlimited rides, laser tag, bowling, arcade games and unlimited buffet until 8 pm. Cost is $18/person. RSVP by March 1 to 480-865-4710 or [email protected].
