Pasadena Temples Celebrate Purim

Both Jewish temples in Pasadena – Chabad of Pasadena and the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center – celebrated Purim, the Festival of Lots, on Wednesday and Thursday, with colorful festivities commemorating the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an official of the Achaemenid Empire who was planning to have all of Persia’s Jewish subjects killed, as recounted in the Book of Esther.

At the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, the festivities centered on the four mitzvot of Purim – the four mitzvah, or Jewish laws, that govern Purim – which are reading the Megillah, or the Book of Esther; sending Mishloach Manot, or gift baskets; the Seudah, or festive meal; and Matanot La’evyonim, giving to the poor.

Members of the PJTC also dressed in festival dress, as is customary in this annual holiday that encourages a party atmosphere.

The festive meal was a shared community meal and Megillah reading on the PJTC grounds Wednesday evening, where free Kosher Persian food was provided by Kabob By Faraj, sponsored by a group of PJTC families. The meal included cocktails for the adult members.

The reading of the Megillah was both in person and on Zoom, with video skits presented of each chapter of the Megillah, acted out by students from the Louis B. Silver Religious School (LBSRS) and other groups of PJTC members.

On Sunday, March 20, the PJTC concludes the Purim festival with a drive-thru Purim CAR-nival, with members – and their cars – dressed up for the occasion as they drive through PJTC grounds at 1434 N. Altadena Drive.

At Chabad of Pasadena, Purim began Wednesday with live music and cocktails starting at 5:30 p.m., animated Megillah reading, delicious food and prizes for everyone in a costume.

The second day was Purim in the Circus, an outdoor event open to the whole community at the Chabad of Pasadena grounds at 1090 E. Walnut Street. The evening featured a Purim buffet, hamantashen (triangular filled-pocket pastry associated with the Jewish holiday), snow cones and popcorn; carnival games and interactive games, with huge inflatables on the Chabad grounds.

Earlier, on Feb. 27, members of the Chabad Girls Club either took park or watched an Epic Glow Fashion Show outdoors as a pre-Purim celebration.