Purim Update

Wednesday night, March 7 and Thursday day March 8 is the holiday of Purim. On Purim, we read the Scroll of Esther, the story of how the Jewish Queen of Persia saved the Jews from destruction. It's a particularly festive holiday, somewhat like Mardi Gras, with costumes and booze.

At Purim, it is traditional to eat triangular cookies called hamentashen, give presents of two types of food to two friends, and give gifts to the poor. At services last Friday, we had left-over Chanukkah chocolate coins and cereal bars. At Torah study last Saturday, we read The Scroll of Esther, and Vivian brought us hamentaschen from Bakery-By-The-Sea in Brookings. That was our Purim celebration.

We are not having services or Torah study this weekend, as our schedule is now to meet on the first and third Friday and Saturday of the month.

The Torah reading this week is Ki Tisa, Exodus 30:11-34:35. This reading includes the story of the Golden Calf. Moses smashes the first tablets he receives on Mount Sinai, and goes back for the second tablets.

The next full moon after Purim is Passover. Plans are underway for a Beth Shalom potluck seder. Stay tuned for details.

If you would like to help with the seder, lead a service, be an officer of the congregation, have a program you would like to initiate, please contact us at our blog, http://templebethshalom.blogspot.com, by e-mail at delnortebethshalom@gmail.com, or by U.S. Mail at P.O. Box 1557, Crescent City, CA 95531. The phone number on the blog is available to leave a message; there is no phone at that number.

Enjoy Purim! Chag Purim Sameach!

Barry Wendell
President
Beth Shalom