Purim Gets Wild at Adas Israel
Free & Open to the Community!
Wednesday, February 28 – Thursday, March 1
The essential feature of Purim is its demand that we use a different, unique, prism to peer into our lives and communities. Day in, day out, the typical windows into humanity are determined for us (usually by Facebook and Google), but on Purim we flip the model on its head. We deploy the Book of Esther to reframe the picture of life. We use humor where seriousness so often prevails. We mobilize laughter as the avenue from which old truths become newly experienced. We certainly can’t do Purim everyday, but if we never see the world with Purim goggles, we’ll likely miss some of the sacred stuff that lies always right before our hearts.
This year our Purim prism will be “The Wild”. The late-great English writer (and author of The Jungle Book), Rudyard Kipling once quipped: "A brave heart and a courteous tongue. They shall carry thee far through the jungle, manling.”
In other words, when life and society feels like it offers nothing but the challenges and turbulences of the wilderness, humans must muster a strength of heart, a resilience, which can carry them through. As you enter Adas this year, you’ll experience a 360 degree wilderness effect. Our Megillah reading will be interspersed with musical scenes, rewritten and reimagined into the: ”The Lion King of Persia.” We’ll also be showing short video clips which will highlight some of the uniquely Adas ways our community experiences itself as the “Wild” (think parking on Friday mornings…)
Throughout the building we’ll experientially play on some of the key ingredients one needs to employ in order to survive and thrive in the wild. The ability to find food, secure water, build shelter, and survive predators requires wit, resilience, traveling in packs (community), silence, tenacity, ferocity, and a healthy dose of faith in a hidden God.
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Full Purim Schedule Purim – Thursday, March 1 *Megillah Reading will be livestreamed. To gain access to this service please call the synagogue front desk at 202-362-4433, and the password will be provided to you. Adas observances include a full Megillah reading, a Traditional Egalitarian Minyan family reading, readings for families with young children, and the incredible annual Purim Carnival with games, attractions, snacks, and more. Free and Open to the Public! Chag Purim Sameach. |
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Purim for Families with Young ChildrenPurim Sing- Along & Costume Parade, February 25, Beginning @ 9:30amOn Sunday February 25, Families with Young Children are invited to join us for a Purim Sing-Along starting at 9:30am and leading directly into our Costume Parade at 10:00am in the Charles E Smith Sanctuary. Children 5 and under are invited at 10:30 for special time on the moonbounces from 10:30-11:00am in the Kay Hall and then to head downstairs with their parents to Cohen Hall for games, art, and carnival photos until noon! 2017 Adas Israel Purim Carnival, Sunday, February 25 @ 11:00am Register HereThe Religious School and USY are hosting the Purim Carnival on Sunday February 25. Join us for a costume parade at 10:30AM in the Charles E Smith Sanctuary. The full carnival opens at 11 for all! Students who are enrolled in Religious School do not need to register, neither do parents. Everyone else should pre-register here! A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. |
Concerned about Sensory Overload on Purim?
Costumes, groggers and crowds can be overwhelming! If you need a time-out or to catch your breath, please go to our low sensory space in room 218 on the 2nd floor, which will be available during the Carnival from 9:15am-12:15pm on Sunday (2/25) and from 5:30-10:30pm on Erev Purim, Wednesday (2/28). The room will be unlocked but will not be staffed, so children must be accompanied by adults. Adults seeking quiet are welcome on their own. Alternately, you are welcome to join us for a (somewhat!) quieter megillah reading on Thursday 3/1 (Purim Day) at 7:15am minyan in the Biran Bet Midrash, where the Booing of Haman happens at a lower volume. Please email Naomi.Malka@adasisrael.org to communicate any accessibility issues in advance.
