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Happy Purim! Be Happy, It's Adar!
We celebrate the holiday of Purim in the Hebrew month of Adar. Like many holidays, Purim is about being happy to be Jewish, and what better way than by wearing costumes, making noise, and eating triangle-shaped cookies called Hamantashen! There are so fun ways for your family to celebrate!
Here are some great Purim resources from PJ Library
Share the story of Purim with your child through these age appropriate books:
The Purim Story for Kids 5 & Under
The Purim Story for Kids Ages 5+
Find a Purim Celebration near you:
City
KAM Isaiah Israel, Chicago
Purim celebration at KAM Isaiah Israel with Congregation Rodfei Zedek
Monday, March 9th from 5:00pm-8:30pm
Our family-friendly Purim celebration will kick off with a vegetarian community dinner. Our family megillah reading will be inclusive and accessible. It will feature leaders of KAM Isaiah Israel and Congregation Rodfei Zedek as well as improv actors from Knuckleball Comedy to lead us in hilarious and silly Purim-themed sketches. After the family megillah reading, there will be a brief reception and then a full megillah reading. All are welcome, and costumes and silliness are encouraged!
Cost: Free
No RSVP needed
Temple Sholom of Chicago, Chicago
Purim Tot Shabbat
Friday, March 6th at 5:00pm
Join Temple Sholom and Gan Shalom Early Childhood Center for an engaging and meaningful celebration of both Shabbat and Purim, designed for families with children under 5. Sing, dance, and celebrate the holiday as the Temple Sholom clergy and education team invite your youngest family members to experience the joy of Purim through familiar songs, prayers and rituals.
Cost: $36/family for dinner ONLY (kosher-style dinner with fully kosher option available)
Chicago Jewish Day School, Chicago
Sing-Along with Miss Jamie's Farm + Purim Crafts
Sunday, March 1st from 10:00am-11:15am
Rock out at CJDS! Begin your Purim celebration with a performance by Miss Jamie's Farm followed by Purim crafts!
Cost: Free
Florence G. Heller JCC, Chicago
Not Your Average Purim Party
Sunday, March 1st from 4:00pm-5:30pm
Dance Party with DJ, costume parade, craft project and build-your-own hamantaschen bar.
Cost: $10/family
Emanuel Congregation, Chicago
Shabbat-A-Tot Purim Party
Friday, March 6th at 5:30pm
Bring your tots in their favorite costume, and learn about Purim through stories, music, and play! Aimed to engage ages 0-6 years old.
Cost: Free!
ECRS Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th at 12:30pm
Join other Emanuel Congregation Religious School families for this annual carnival celebrating Purim! There will be games, prizes, a costume contest, and yummy treats to eat! Fun for kids of all ages!
Cost: Cost varies for game tokens and/or lunch menu items.
Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation, Chicago
ASBI Children's Purim Celebration!
Monday, March 9th from 5:00pm-6:15pm
Our Purim event will feature a round-robin of Purim-themed fun, including puppets, stories, Megillah show-and-tell, and a pizza dinner! This program is geared towards children ages 0-5 accompanied by a parent or adult-friend.
Cost: $5 for members, $20 for non-members
Chabad Jewish Center of South Loop
Family Purim Celebration & Megillah Reading
Tuesday, March 10th at 5:00pm
Come celebrate Purim in the heart of the South Loop! Enjoy multimedia Megillah reading followed by a family-friendly Purim Celebration and feast.
Cost: Suggested donation $15 adult, $10 child
Location provided upon RSVP
Anshe Emet Synagogue, Chicago
Anshe Emet Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th from 10:00am-1:00pm
Experience the joy of Purim with games, food and friends! Early admission to Carnival for children 3 and under and those with Special Needs (in Partnership with Keshet) from 10am-11am. The Purim Carnival & Silent Auction (Open to all) is 11am-1pm.
Cost: Synagogue Member Child 4 & Up $20, Member Adult $10, Non-Member Child $30, Non-Member Adult $20. Prices go up March 4.
Family Purim Dinner
Monday, March 9th from 5:45pm-6:30pm
Purim begins with a dairy dinner for families
Cost: Free for Anshe Emet members, $25 for non-member families. Prices go up March 4.
Young Family Megillah Telling
Monday, March 9th from 6:30pm-7:00pm
Experience the story of Purim with music and joy! Especially designed for families with kids 4 and under, the Anshe Emet Megillah Telling is boisterous, engaging, simple, and will wrap up in time to get your kids to bed on time!
Cost: Free
No RSVP needed
Oak Park Temple B'nai Abraham Zion, Oak Park
Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th from 9:30am-12:00pm
Carnival and Costume parade! Free coffee bar with barista. Games, photobooth, bounce house, face paint and more.
Cost: Adults who accompany a child are free. Children under 2 are free. Children under 5 are $5 and children 6 and over are $15.
No RSVP needed
The Megillah Parody
Monday, March 9th at 6:00pm
EVERYONE should come out to join us for our Erev Purim Extravaganza, which will feature the Purim Shpiel as well as other celebrations of the holiday.
Cost: Free
Suburbs
EHNTJC, Skokie
CHAI NOON - The Western Musical Purim Parody
March 7th, 8th, 14th & 15th at Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 1:30 pm
EHNTJC's 11th Purim parody is more like a Broadway show than a congregational shpiel. The cast and crew is a mix of professionals, community theater players and congregants. Everyone who likes music and to laugh will love CHAI NOON.
Cost: Before March 5th, tickets are $10 for children 12 and under and $20 for adults. $12 and $25 after or at the door.
Temple Beth Israel, Skokie
Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th at 9:00am
Come celebrate Purim at TBI! There will be a carnival with games for your youngest to your oldest kids, a mini-megillah reading and lunch for sale!
Cost: Free
No RSVP needed
Beth Emet Synagogue, Evanston
Purim Celebration and Carnival
Sunday, March 15th at 10:00am, 11:00am and 12:00pm
10:00am – Purim Carnival Open to Families with Members with Special Needs - games and accommodations for children with special needs.
10:30am – Purim Celebrations for Families with Young Children, with Purim spiel, singing, and costume parade.
11:00am – Purim Carnival Open to Families with Young Children.
12:00pm – Purim Carnival Open to All.
The Purim carnival features a moon bounce, games, prizes and more! Last year, Beth Emet teens worked hard to make the Purim Carnival more inclusive for people with special needs. We built games, made accommodations, and will have a quiet/low sensory stimulation room (Perlman Room). If you need further accommodations, let us know, we're here to help!
Lunch will be available for sale– choice of hot dog or veggie burger, includes pasta, chips, cookie, and drink.
Cost: Ticket prices: 3 for $1, 15 for $5, or 36 for $10. Lunch will be available for sale: $7 per person or $30 for five people
No RSVP needed
Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah, Wilmette
Family Purim Pep Rally and Carnival
Sunday March 8th from 10:30am-1:00pm
Celebrate Purim with BHBE! We start at 10:30 with a Family Purim Pep Rally, including songs, sketches, Megillah surprises and a costume parade! Then at 11:00 - this year's Star Wars-themed BHBE Carnival. (Star Wars of David: The Rise of Mordechai.) Inflatables, games, prizes, food, photo booth, fun!
Cost: No charge for Purim Pep Rally. Tickets required for carnival games, inflatables, and food, available in advance or at the door.
Temple Jeremiah, Northfield
Shushan Shuffle
Sunday, March 8th from 9:00am-10:00am
Our day of Purim activities begins with the 17th Annual Shushan Shuffle 5K Run or Walk! Start Purim off with a great workout for a great cause.
Cost: $18 and proceeds from this run/walk will benefit SHALVA.
Purim Celebration and Inclusion Carnival
Sunday, March 8th from 10:00am-1:00pm
Please join Temple Jeremiah for our annual Purim Carnival, featuring an array of midway games, a bounce house, an obstacle course, a silent auction, and much more.
10:00am-11:00am- The Purim Carnival opens early for those with special needs and their families
11:00am-11:30am- Rabbi Cohen and Temple Jeremiah clergy will tell the story of Purim with the music and the opportunity for audience participation
11:30am-1:00pm- The Purim Carnival opens for everyone
Cost: $15 in advance and $20 at the door
Purim Celebration and Inclusion Carnival
Monday, March 9th from 7:30pm-9:00pm
One of the popular traditions of Purim is the Purim Schpiel (Yiddish for play). This year, talented members of Temple Jeremiah came together to write our very own schpiel, to the tune of popular Disney songs! Come watch the fun of telling the story of Purim!
No RSVP needed
North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe
Families with Young children Celebrate Purim
Sunday, March 8th from 9:15am-10:00am
Carnival games, crafts & snacks. Open to the community. Costumes encouraged!
Cost: Free
JCC Chicago at Am Shalom, Glencoe
Purim Dance Party
Thursday, March 5th at 5:00pm-6:30pm
Wear your favorite costume, enjoy pizza and hamantaschen! Then enjoy dancing led by Charizma Entertainment. All are welcome so bring your friends.
Cost: $25/family
Temple Beth-El, Northbrook
Shabbat Yeladim: All About Purim
Friday, March 6th at 5:30pm
A fun Shabbat experience for families with children ages 7 and younger. Older siblings and grandparents are welcome to attend and participate. Learn all about Purim and wear your Purim costume! Evening begins with complimentary pizza and pasta followed by fun Purim acitivites - crafts, story, singing, and oneg!
Cost: Free
Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th from 10:00am - 10:30am (Open for those with disabilities) 10:30am - 12:00pm (Open to all)
All are welcome to the Temple Beth-El Purim Carnival filled with games, contests, prizes and much more! The first half hour is open to those with disabilities only.
Cost: $10 per child (ages 3+)
Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook
Young Family Megillah Reading, Costume Parade & Purim Sing-A-Long
Sunday, March 8th at 10:15am
Young Family Megillah Reading, Costume Parade & Purim Sing-A-Long (ages birth – 7). Join us before our Purim Carnival for a wonderful young family celebration. Wear your costumes and join us for a morning of merriment.
Cost: Free
Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th from 11:30am - 1:30pm
Come one and all to our Purim Carnival. Fun for all ages including arts & crafts, face painting, young family area, games, food, and don’t forget to wear your costume. Opens at 11:00am for our special needs families and families with very young children. Everyone is Welcome!
Cost: Tickets (shekels) - 10 for $5.00 for games and food.
JUF Russian Jewish Division at Bernard Weinger JCC, Northbrook
RJD Purim: The Magical World of Purim
Sunday, March 8th from 4:00pm-5:30pm
JUF's Russian Jewish Division invites you to a Magical World of Purim! Enjoy dancing, singing, hamantaschen and a musical show full of festive characters. Costumes encouraged!
Cost: $20 per family
JCC Chicago 'Z' Frank Apachi, Ta'am Teva, Bump Club and Beyond, Northbrook
Outdoor Purim Palooza
Sunday, March 1st from 2:30pm-4:30pm
Explore animals and nature, and play fun, creative games. Dress for the outdoors!
Cost: Free
Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook
Hamentashen Making at Northbrook Mariano's.
Sunday, March 8th at 1:00pm, 1:30pm & 2:00pm
A hands-on Purim experience for all! Families are invited to a Kids Hamentash Making Workshop. Roll out the dough and fill with your favorite flavor! At Mariano's at 784 Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook.
Cost: Free
Purim in the Shtetl at Chabad of Northbrook
Tuesday March 10th at 5:30pm
Family dinner and celebration. Megillah reading and family fun! Everyone is welcome!
Adults $20 & Children $12
No RSVP needed
Moriah Congregation, Deerfield
Moriah Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th from 10:00am-12:30pm
Purim Carnival with games, prizes, inflatables, face paint, and kosher lunch. Join us for a wonderful day!
Cost: $10
Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation, Deerfield
Purim Service & Celebration
Sunday, March 15th from 10:30am-12:00pm
Everyone is welcome to join us for your favorite Purim activities, including:
Costumes! Photo Booth! Face Painting! Carnival Games! Crafts! Hamantashen Making! All-Ages Activities! Community Service Projects! & Megillah Reading…WITH NOISE MAKERS!
Cost: Requested donation per family
Congregation BJBE. Deerfield
Low-Sensory Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th at 9:00am
We are proud to open our Purim Carnival early for families who have a child with special needs and would benefit from a quieter, lower-stimulating carnival experience.
Cost: Free
Purim Shpiel & Carnival
Sunday, March 8th at 9:30am
Our annual Purim carnival and "Purim's The Word" shpiel, followed by games & prizes for all ages, entertainment, arts & crafts, delicious food & snacks, and more!
Cost: Children 5+ $15, Children 4 and Under $6
Pour 'Em Purim
Monday, March 9th at 7:00pm
A mixology class featuring Purim-themed cocktails and mocktails. Geared towards parents of young children. Complimentary children's programming available.
Cost: $25
Purim Party for Kids
Monday, March 9th at 7:00pm
While parents enjoy Pour 'Em Purim, kids will have fun at a Purim Party of their own! Come in costume, make hamantaschen, play silly Purim games.
Cost: Free
Makom Solel Lakeside, Highland Park
Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8th from 9:45am-12:00pm
We celebrate Purim with a family-friendly musical Purim spiel, followed by a carnival experience for all ages. Snacks are available for purchase.
Cost: Carnival admission is free. Food and drinks are for sale per item.
Lake County JCC, Lake Zurich
Not Your Average Purim Party
Sunday, March 1st from 4:00pm-5:30pm
Dance Party with DJ, costume parade, craft project and build-your-own hamantaschen bar.
Cost: $10/family
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park
Jeans and Jammies Treasure Hunt
Friday, March 6th from 5:00pm-6:15pm
Ahoy mateys! X marks the spot for Shabbat fun! Dress in yer best pirate pajamas and/or jeans and/or Purim costume - we welcome all of our buccaneers! Program is geared for families with children in 1st grade and younger. Enjoy music, a free dinner for the kids, appetizers and drinks for adults, a PJ Library “Take Table” and a great Shabbat celebration!
Cost: Free
RSVP by March 2nd
Aye! The Best Purim Carnival on the Seven Seas
Sunday, March 8th from 11:00am - 1:00pm
The Carnival is best for families with 6th graders and younger. 11:00am early entrance for preschoolers and families with children with specials needs.
Cost: Free
"Don't Mess With Captain Esther" with the Bible Players
Monday, March 9th at 5:30pm performance and dinner; 7:00pm Megillah Reading
The Bible Players are a Torah Comedy team based in New York City that teaches Jewish Values. They will be starting off our Purim eve celebration with a free performance and dinner to be followed by the Megillah Reading at 7:00 pm. Dress in yer pirate best or in any costume ye favor!
Cost: Free
RSVP by March 2nd
Beth Tikvah Congregation, Hoffman Estates
Purim Shpiel and Carnival
Sunday, March 8th at 11:00am
Come one, come all to the Annual Shpiel and Megillah reading! Join the fun, hear the story, and be amazed at the skills of our very own Rabbi and Cantor as they wow us with their take on Dancing with the Stars of David! Come have some fun and celebrate Purim at our Annual Carnival! Games, Prizes, Food, Face Painting, and more! Fun for all ages!
11:00 am Shpiel with Choral & Kolan (Sanctuary)
12:00 pm Carnival (Classrooms) & Food (Chaveyron)
1:45 pm Games Close ; Redeem Tickets (Front Lobby)
2:00 pm Raffle is called (Chaveyron)
Cost: $12 Wristbands (UNLIMITED Games, Face Painting & Photo Booth)
$5 Meal Pack (Hot Dog, Chips, Drink, & Cookie)
Upcoming Events
Sunday School Try Out at Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation
Sunday, March 29, 2020 9:30 AM
More info
