Celebrate Purim!
Purim, the Jewish holiday celebrating victory over oppression, begins at sundown on March 16. This joyous holiday honors the salvation of the Jews from the wicked Haman, through the leadership of Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai. Due to her courage and role in saving the Jews, the story is known as “Megilla Esther,” or the Scroll of Esther.
Elaborate festivals of food, music and games are held during Purim. Adults and children wear costumes, and charitable gifts, usually food, are given. The Scroll of Esther is read aloud. The villain Haman was known for his triangular hats, so hamantaschen, triangular cookies filled with fruit jam, are eaten.
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Purim Celebrations Around Atlanta
Celebrate Purim at Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Celebrate with a storytime reading of “Sammy Spider’s First Purim,” a sing-along performance by “Mr. Michael” Levine, and a special craft. March 13.
Purim PaloozAA Carnival at Ahavath Achim Synagogue
Dress as your favorite Muppet, green character, or whatever you want for an afternoon of games, silliness, laughter, and making the community more environmentally friendly. March 13.
Purim Parade and Festival at Congregation Beth Jacob
Decorated floats, rides, live performances, food trucks, a petting zoo and more. Costumes are encouraged. March 13.
Purim Celebration at Temple Beth Tikvah
A family celebration with a carnival, costume parade, dinner and Purim spiel. March 16.
JCC Purim Celebration at Zaban Park
Children are invited to wear costumes to this outdoor celebration featuring songs with Rabbi G, a stiltwalker performance, costume contest, games and hamantashen. March 17.
Community Purim Celebration at Chabad Intown
Celebrate Purim with a Megillah reading and glow party, Costumes are encouraged! March 17.
Purim Carnival With a Cause at Temple Emanu-El
Celebrate Purim with carnival games and activities, plus mitzvah stations for children to bring awareness of issues of hunger and social injustice in the community. March 20.
Making Hamantaschen
2/3 cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla
2½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Dash of salt
Filling: jar of flavored jam
Cream the butter and sugar. Add egg and continue creaming until smooth.
Add the vanilla. Stir in the sifted flour, baking powder and salt until a ball of dough is formed (a food processor is excellent for this).
Chill for 2-3 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Taking 1/4 of the dough, roll out on a lightly floured board to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut circles of dough with a drinking glass or round cookie-cutter. With your finger put water around the rim of the circle. Fill with 1 teaspoon of poppyseed filling or flavored jam (raspberry and apricot are popular flavors) and fold into three-cornered cookies. (Press two sides together, and then fold the third side over and press the ends together.)
Bake on a well-greased cookie sheet 10-16 minutes, until the tops are golden. Makes 36 cookies.
—From the The Jewish Holiday Kitchen
