The Jewish holiday of Purim is exuberant, colorful, and full of pure joy. Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. For 2024, it begins at sundown on Saturday, March 23, and lasts until sundown on Sunday, March 24. According to the Book of Esther, Mordecai and Queen Esther foiled Haman's plans to hurt the Jews. Purim celebrates this event with feasting and merriment. Often described as "Jewish Halloween," it is customary for Jews to dress up in costume to allude to the miracle of the holiday.
Celebrate Purim at these local events in Brooklyn:
Sunday, March 17
- 10am-5:30pm: Pre-Purim Fun at Jewish Children's Museum in Crown Heights (ages 0-13)
- 11:30am-1:30pm: Purim Community Wide Event w/ JCC Brooklyn in Williamsburg
Tuesday, March 19
Saturday, March 23
- 4-5pm Queen Vashti's PJ Party for Families with Young Children at Park Slope Jewish Center
- 6:30-8pm: Megillah and Magic Purim Festivities at Bay Ridge Jewish Center
- 7:30pm: SHUSHAN! the Musical at 92NY Center for Culture and Art
- 8pm: Purim Luau at Chabad of Clinton Hill and Pratt Institute
- 8:30: Megillah at Dirah in Carroll Gardens
Sunday, March 24
- 9:30am Purim Fest with Chabad of N. Brooklyn in Greenpoint
- 10am-5pm: Pre-Purim Fun at Jewish Children's Museum in Crown Heights (ages 0-13)
- 10am-12pm: Purimpalooza at Hannah Senesh in Carroll Gardens (ages 2-10)
- 10am-12pm: Purim Pride Party at Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg (ages 0-6)
- 10:30am: Family Purim Party: Baby DJ School at Chabad of Clinton Hill and Pratt Institute
- 10:30am: Chabad of DUMBO presents Celebrate Purim at the Carnival at the DUMBO Loft (all ages)
- 10:30-11:45am: Baby Love + Play Purim Play Edition at JCH of Bensonhurst (ages 0-18 months)
- 10:30am-12pm: Purim Family Celebration at Kane Street Synagogue in Cobble Hill (ages 0-7)
- 11:30am-2pm: Purim Carnival at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue
- 12-2pm: Klezmer Brunch Revival: Purim Edition with Pharaoh's Daughter at PinkFrog Cafe in Williamsburg (Ages 2-10)
- 12pm: Purim Party: Rock & Roll Playhouse Plays Music of Phish at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg
- 1-3pm: Purim Madness at Dekalb Market Hall in Downtown Brooklyn
- 1-4pm: Purim Carnival at Bay Ridge Jewish Center
- 3:15pm: Purim Celebration "Purim in the Shuk" at Chabad of Brooklyn Heights
- 3:30-5:30pm Purim Fest with Chabad of N. Brooklyn in Greenpoint
- 4pm: Purim B'yachad with Chabad of Park Slope at Bison and Bourbon in Gowanus
- 5pm: Purim in Israel Celebration at Chabad Downtown Brooklyn
- 5pm: Purim Celebration at Chabad of Fort Greene
Monday, March 25
Want to know more about Purim?
Watch this 5 minute video for an intro to this Jewish holiday:
There are four observances of Purim:
- Hear the Megillah, the complete story of how Mordecai and Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from the hands of the wicked Haman. The story is read twice, once at night and a second time on Purim Day. It is customary to make noise with graggers and boo Haman when his name is read in the Megillah.
- Give gifts of food to friends. The gifts should include at least two different types of food such as Hamentashen cookies and juice. Kids love this holiday because they get to dress up in their favorite costumes to deliver the gifts.
- Give Tzedekah (money or charity) to two or more poor people, or put two or more coins into the donation box of a favorite charity.
- Eat and rejoice! Partake in a big meal with family and friends, sing songs, tell the story of Purim, and celebrate!
Suggested Purim activity 1: Make Hamentashen (Haman's hat) cookies with your kids:
- Simple recipe: Working Mom's Hamentashen
- For littles to do on their own: No Bake Hamantaschen
- Traditional recipe: Hamentashen with Poppy Seed Filling
- Kid-approved: No-Fail Sprinkle Hamantaschen
- Gluten-free: Raspberry Hamantaschen
Suggested Purim activity 2: Make your own Gragger, Purim noise-makers:
Visit the Chabad or PJ Library's Kids' Purim Guide for more information, videos, songs, games, recipes, and more.
Happy Purim!
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