Purim Events and Celebrations Around Atlanta

Purim, the Jewish holiday celebrating victory over oppression, begins at sundown on March 13. 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.

Purim Celebrations Around Atlanta

Purim Parade and Festival at Beth Jacob Atlanta

Watch a parade with costumes and decorated floats, listen to live music, play on a pirate ship, taste food from food trucks and more. March 9.

Celebrate Purim at Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Make your own noisemaker in the Art Studio. March 9.

Purim Celebration at MJCCA Zaban Park

Enjoy Purim songs with Rabbi G, games, activities, crafts and more. March 13.

Purim: A Wicked, Wicked Spiel at Temple Beth Tikvah

Hey It’s Purim! at Chabad Intown

Step into the joy of Purim with an evening full of festive spirit with a Shabbat dinner, Megillah reading, a kids’ sing-a-long and more. March 14.

Superhero Purim at Mitzvah House Library

Meet superheroes, watch a magic show, participate in a costume contest and more. March 14.

Purimpalooza Carnival at Congregation Or VeShalom

Inflatables, face painting, a costume contest, hamentashen decorating and more. March 14.

Purimpalooza at MJCCA Zaban Park

This youth sports day features fun with face painting, character meet and greets, crafts and tasty treats. March 16.

Purim Carnival at The Temple

Visit this carnival with a moon bounce, petting zoo, treats, games, face painting and more. March 16.

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