Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

These are the Central Florida Purim events that have been reported to the Heritage by press time. Check with your synagogue or Jewish organization to find out about others that may not have been reported to the paper.

Chabad Jewish Center

Purim Esters (Oscars) Award Dinner, celebrating “Purim in Hollywood” with comedian Joel Chasnoff. Megillah reading is at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and party at 5:30 p.m. Sunday Feb. 24 at 708 Lake Howell Road, Maitland. There will be a complete children’s program. The cost is $36 adults, $18 for children under 12. RSVP required at http://www.chabadorlando.org or 407-644-2500, ext. 0.

Chabad Lubavitch of North Orlando

Chabad Luvavitch of North Orlando presents “A Very Happy Purim” at 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 24. Cost: $10 per person. Festival features comedian Esther Rachel Russel, a magic show for ages 2-12, children’s costume contest, Megillah reading with animated slide show, dinner buffet. RSVP before Feb. 20.

Congregation Beth Sholom

Congregation Beth Sholom of Leesburg is celebrating Purim at 5:15 p.m. Saturday. The evening will begin with a pot luck dinner, followed by games and music. Rabbi Karen Allen will lead a brief Havdalah service followed by the Megillah reading. Guests are welcome.  There is more information at http://BethSholomFlorida.org or call Linda Bork at 352-315-0309 to RSVP or for more information. They are at 315 N. 13th St. (entrance on Center Street) in Leesburg. 

Congregation Ohev Shalom

The community is welcome to celebrate Purim at Megillah reading Saturday night Feb. 23 and the Purim Carnival Sunday Feb. 24 at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland.  Megillah reading begins at 7 p.m. Saturday night and will feature shtick and parodies by members and the COS youth groups.  Refreshments will follow.  The full Megillah will be read at 9 p.m. Sunday. 

The Purim Carnival on Sunday  will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  The COS Purim carnival has gotten a face-lift with many new games from Xtreme Entertainment.  In addition to Purim themed games, there will be Human Bowling where you are in the ball!  Try your hand at human sized Jenga or Connect Four.  Put your whole body into Oversized Twister or have fun at the Shushan 500 with adult tricycles.  Haman’s Haunted House will be presented by COSUSY. Of course there is a bounce house, prizes, face painting and food and a 50/50 cash drawing. 

The cost is $5 per person for unlimited games.  Food sold separately.

Congregation Ohev Shalom is at 613 Concourse Parkway S., Maitland.  For more information go to the website http://www.ohevshalom.org or call 407-298-4650.

Comgregation of Reform Judaism

“Les Mis, Les Megillah”

A family friendly inter-generational Purimspeil at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at CRJ sanctuary, 928 Malone Drive, Orlando. A Purimspiel by Norman Roth based on the story of “Les Miserables” with a Purim twist.  Directed by Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer.  Assistant Director: Sandy Goodkind.  Tickets: $10 adults; $5 children under 12; $25 family of four 4.  Tickets available at CRJ by calling 407-645-0444 or online at http://bit.ly/purimspeil.

Purim Carnival for all ages from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. Games, obstacle course, pony rides, face painting, tie dye, tattoos, princess makeovers, paper airplane contests, science fun, arts and crafts, hamentashen, hot  dog bar and more.  Tickets: Purchase tickets in advance and receive $25 of tickets for only $20. Plus receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win two Aquatica tickets. Tickets will be available for 50 cents each at the carnival. Purchase tickets in advance online : http://bit.ly/crjpurim. To volunteer contact Julie at jvarkonyi@crjorlando.org.

Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation

Family friendly Purim services at 7:15 p.m. Saturday Feb. 23 with ice cream social to follow.

Sunday February 24: 9 a.m. Purim morning services, including full reading of the Book of Esther; from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Queen Esther’s Purim Carnival.  Bracelets include unlimited play (except for dunk tank), hot dog combo, 1 treat ticket and 1 dunk ticket. First bracelet $22, second sibling bracelet $20, third and any other sibling bracelet $18.  Individual tickets are $1 each. SOJC is at 11200 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando; 407-730-7343 or http://www.sojc.org.

Temple Israel

Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.—Megillah reading. Design your own mask or buy one. Wear a funny hat. Wear an entire costume. You decide. There will be noisemakers aplenty so that when Haman’s name is mentioned, the noisemakers will go into high gear. Stay for delicious hamantaschen after the Megillah reading. Open to the community (in the sanctuary and the social hall).

Sunday, Feb. 24 at 9 a.m.—Morning minyan. Megillah reading will take place. Open to the community (in the chapel).

Sunday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.—Children’s Purim Carnival. Tickets for games may be purchased ahead of time (4/$1) or at the carnival (3/$1). There will be indoor and outdoor games, a cakewalk and lunch will be available. Open to the community (in the social hall and in the parking lot and vacant lot next to the synagogue).

Temple Israel is at 50 S. Moss Road, Winter Springs.