As Spring arrived, Beth Ahabah was busy planning for and celebrating the “Medium” Holy Days.
With COVID restrictions eased, the season kicked off with the annual Purim Spiel on Saturday, March 12. More than 100 people gathered in good spirits for the play “dedicated to the memory of Earl Ferguson, in gratitude for his many years writing, directing, and producing Beth Ahabah’s Purim Spiels.”
Attendees enjoyed a preshow schmooze with delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres, and then settled in for the hilarious “Shushan Rhapsody: A Musical Tribute to Queen and Queen Esther.” The multigenerational cast reprised the show at the Weinstein JCC during the Purim Carnival the next day. The Beth Ahabah Brotherhood also lent a hand at the JCC’s community celebration again this year by providing and manning the carnival games.
On Sunday morning, costumed religious school families were greeted by staff costumed as candy. Students and parents visited a mini exhibition of Megillot Esther, saw a grogger carving demonstration, enjoyed a Megillah reading by teaching staff during T’filah, and were treated to piles of hamantaschen after school. That Friday, the Shabbat service featured a very lively Megillah reading with surprise special effects followed by a festive carnival dinner.
To ensure that all congregants could celebrate whatever the pandemic situation, college students where mailed holiday boxes packed with Purim and Passover goodies, gifts, holiday resources and blessing cards. Out of town members were also mailed items to aid in home holiday observance, and 24 dedicated volunteers drove many miles to deliver gift bags to hundreds of local member’s homes.
