Purim
Purim
The Book of Esther tells the story of the Jews of Persia, during the time of King Ahasuerus. After Queen Esther's cousin Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, the king's minister, Haman tried to wipe out the Jews. The king gave him permission to draw lots (pur) to determine the day of destruction.
When Mordecai learned about the plan, he asked his cousin Esther to intercede. At a banquet for the king and Haman, she denounced Haman, who was hanged.
Celebrations of this story include humorous spiels with costumes, jokes and songs, and boundary-crossing on issues of gender, sexuality, authority, and relations with the non-Jewish world.
In this photo taken by Barbara Gundle at Havurah's 2018 Purim celebration, Rabbi Benjamin, dressed as Esther, addresses the crowd in a Brooklyn accent.
Fri, September 18 2020
29 Elul 5780
Step Into Havurah
Everything You Need for High Holidays
High Holidays Info & Registration
Click the button below to view our High Holidays packet for this year! It has a lot of valuable information, incl
Click the button below to view our High Holidays packet for this year! It has a lot of valuable information, incl
Upcoming Events
All Events
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Friday ,
SepSeptember 18 , 2020Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Friday, Sep 18th 7:30p to 8:45p
Led by Rabbi Benjamin with Ilene Safyan and Margie Rosenthal. This year, we usher in Shabbat and the new year together with song, prayer, and reflection, setting the tone for our Days of Awe journey. Rabbi Benjamin will deliver his first drash of the season. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Lobby Room
Shabbat, Sep 19th 9:00a to 9:20a
Pop in to meet and greet members of our community. Visitors will be randomly shuffled into breakout rooms. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Rosh Hashanah Morning and Torah Services
Shabbat, Sep 19th 9:30a to 12:15p
Join us for this morning service that will feature beautiful High Holiday nusach with highlights from Shacharit and Musaf liturgy interwoven with meaningful kavanot/intentions. After a brief interlude, we will hold the Torah Service. 9:30 Psukei D’zimra 9:40 Shacharit 10:50 Interlude 11:00 Torah Service 12:15 End This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Rosh Hashanah Family Service
Shabbat, Sep 19th 10:00a to 10:40a
Especially for families with children ages 0-10! This upbeat and participatory Rosh Hashanah service is for the whole family! Enjoy stories and skits, soulful prayers, and contemporary songs–as we all begin the year anew, together. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Lobby Room
Shabbat, Sep 19th 12:15p to 12:45p
Pop in to meet and greet members of our community. Visitors will be randomly shuffled into breakout rooms. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Membership Tabling
Shabbat, Sep 19th 12:15p to 12:45p
Come visit to speak with a volunteer to learn about the Havurah Shalom community and programs. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Teen Tent
Shabbat, Sep 19th 12:15p to 12:45p
Meet up with friends and chat over a hand of Apples to Apples. The Teen Tent is open to Grades 7 to 12. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Meet Tikkun Olam
Shabbat, Sep 19th 12:30p to 2:00p
Tikkun Olam at Havurah Shalom is composed of four committees, each doing meaningful work in a different are: the Climate Action Team, Poverty and Homelessness, Sanctuary, and the Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good. Whether it’s through direct action, education, volunteering, partnering with other organizations or lobbying, there are many ways to take part in our work. Visit us during the service break on Rosh Hashanah to chat about the opportunities we all have to make a difference. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020For Grades 4 and 5: Online Scavenger Hunt
Shabbat, Sep 19th 2:00p to 3:00p
Abigail Webb will lead 4th and 5th graders through an online scavenger hunt for the High Holidays. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you! -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 19 , 2020Middle School Discussion
Shabbat, Sep 19th 3:00p to 4:00p
Come hang out with other teens and be part of an interesting discussion. Adult Havurah members will facilitate conversations for middle schoolers about our lives and the world connected to the themes of these Days of Returning. The Middle School Discussion is for Grades 6 to 8. This event will take place on our High Holidays platform. Registration is free. We look forward to seeing you!
Fri, September 18 2020 29 Elul 5780