Our friend Amy Deutsch, from Kveller, has supplied us with the best places to celebrate Purim in Brooklyn this weekend…she even threw in some yummy hamantaschen recipes!
This Sunday is Purim, the most fun-filled and raucous of the Jewish holidays. It celebrates the Jews’ escape from certain death way back when in the land of Persia–if you know your bible history, it’s the story of Queen Esther. Personally, I love this holiday because not only is there an awesome female role model, but it’s just so kid-friendly. We bake cookies (triangular-shaped hamantaschen), we dress up in costumes, we give each other gifts, we listen to the Purim story, and we make donations to worthwhile charities. (For more about the Purim story and traditions, head over to Kveller.com.)So if you’re looking to celebrate Purim, don’t worry–Brooklyn is all over that. Read on for my favorite carnivals, dance parties, and story-readings. Oh, and I’m throwing in a few hamantaschen recipes too–because there is no such thing as Purim without the cookies.
Saturday February 23:
Kensington: Temple Beth Emeth is having their Purim Carnival on Saturday–don’t forget your costume! They’re starting with a family megillah reading (the Purim story) at 11:15 am, followed by their carnival at 12:30. $5 per person for the carnival, with games, prizes, and lots of snacks. 83 Marlborough Road at the corner of Church Ave. For more, go here.
Park Slope: Start the night off right at Park Slope Jewish Center with Queen Esther’s Bat Mitzvah Party! This event is geared towards kids of all ages (mostly 4-11, though) and will have a live DJ, costumes, prizes, games, and treats. Come do the Shushan Shuffle! Be sure to wear a costume. 6:45 pm at 1320 8th Avenue (corner of 14th St). FREE. For more details, go here.
Sunday February 24:
Carroll Gardens: If you’ve got babies or toddlers, don’t miss Step Into: Purim at Hannah Senesh Community Day School on Sunday, February 24. Wear a costume and be ready to make and shake your groggers (noisemakers), get faces painted, bake some Purim treats, and join into a Hebrew singalong. Oh, and there’s an open play space that’s perfect for the littlest ones. $5 per person. 9 am – 12 pm; 342 Smith Street. For more details, go here.
Brooklyn Heights: Start off with a Tot Megillah Reading (hearing the Purim story) at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue at 11:30 am where every child in costume gets a prize! It’s followed by a Purim Carnival for kids of all ages from 12-3. There will be pony rides. And a cotton candy machine. 131 Remsen Street. For more, go here.
Cobble Hill: Head to Kane Street Synagogue in the morning (10:00 – 12:30) with kids ages 1-5 for a live band, Shira and Friends–plus hamantaschen-baking, face-painting, and costume-wearing. If you’ve got older kids, hit up their Purim carnival in the afternoon from 2:00-3:30. Both events are $10 per child at the door. 236 Kane Street. More details here.
Park Slope: The Purim Circus at Congregation Beth Elohim starts at 10 am with a family megillah reading, followed at 11 am by the Preschool Purim Carnival (complete with bouncy house) for the young kids, and the Purim Family Circus for older kids, with artists from the New Victory Theatre teaching juggling and balancing acts. $8 per person at the door. 274 Garfield Place at 8th Avenue. More details here.
Windsor Terrace: The Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace is having a Masquerade Disco Ball for the whole family, with dancing, crafting, face-painting, puppets, and a costume contest. Everyone in costume gets a prize! They’ll also be collecting non-perishable goods for Pack it up for Purim, a community-wide effort to create 2,000 food packages for needy New Yorkers. 10:30 – 12:30. 1224 Prospect Ave at Vanderbilt Street. More details here.
Hamantaschen:
The most decadent-looking one I’ve come across this year is on The Nosher–dark chocolate ganache with salted caramel drizzle. I mean, it’s not the original iteration of the hamantaschen (often filled with prunes, poppyseeds, or almond paste), but man, that sounds amazing. And if you’d like to add some savory flair to your cookies this year, check out Bon Appetit’s international hamantaschen roundup. If, however, you’re a real purist like me, you’ll find a classic recipe on Kveller.com.
Amy is a Jewish educator and a mom. Over the past 10 years Amy has developed experience in teaching, family education, camp, curriculum writing, and writes for Kveller.com. She lives in Park Slope with her family.