Purim 2016 is right around the corner, and we have rounded up a bunch of fun ways for families in Essex, Union, Morris, Sussex, and Somerset counties, NJ to celebrate this fun-filled holiday. So bust out your costumes, dust off your groggers, and get ready to party.
Purim 2016 begins the evening of Wednesday, March 23 and continues until sundown of Thursday, March 24. Want to look like a Purim pro for the kiddos? Here’s a quick breakdown of everything you need to know.
Family Purim Celebration*
Get ready for Purim with Sprinkles the Clown and enjoy holiday-themed crafts, snacks, and other Purim fun. Two locations. RSVP required.
The Suite Spot 695 Bloomfield Ave Lower Level, Montclair
Sunday, March 13, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Morristown and Morris Township Public Library, 1 Miller Rd, Morristown
Sunday, March 13, 2 – 4 p.m.
YM-YWHA of Union County Annual Purim Carnival
Purim fun with a petting zoo, face painting, puppet show, costume parade, inflatables, and carnival games.
YM-YWHA of Union County, 501 Green Lane, Union
Sunday, March 13, 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Dress, Dance & Devour*
Come in your Purim costumes, dance, sing, enjoy Purim snacks, crafts, and storytelling. RSVP requested, best for ages 6 and under.
Words Bookstore, 179 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood
Sunday, March 13, 4:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Master Chef Jr. Hamantaschen Edition*
Pick your dough and fillings, and compete to create the best-tasting hamantaschen around. While your creations bake, assemble mishloach manot (Purim packages). RSVP required, best for ages 6 – 11 and their parents.
Private home (address provided upon RSVP), Livingston
Sunday, March 13, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Children’s Megillah Reading & Superhero Purim Carnival featuring Mama Doni
Family Megillah reading followed by a superhero-themed Purim carnival with special guest musician Mama Doni. Come in costume along with your favorite grown-ups. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Temple Sholom of West Essex , 760 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove
Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Master Chef Jr. Hamantaschen Edition*
5th & 6th graders and their parents are invited to compete to create the tastiest hamantaschen with a choice of different dough and filling options. While they bake, pack mishloach manot (Purim packages) and learn more about the holiday. RSVP required.
Private home (address provided upon RSVP), Livingston
Sunday, March 20, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Pack-a-Purse Community Service Event
Bring the kids and join the Young Leadership Division of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, and help fill pocketbooks with toiletries and healthy snacks which will be given to clients in need at local Jewish agencies. Two locations, RSVP requested.
County College of Morris , 214 Cedar Grove Rd, Randolph
Monday, March 21, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
The Woodlands, 60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood
Monday, March 21, 4 – 6 p.m.
Kids Megillah Reading & Costume Parade
Come in costume, listen to the megillah, and drown out the name of that bad guy Haman.
Congregation Beth Israel of Scotch Plains, 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains
Wednesday, March 23, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Purim Services for Young Children & Families
A family-friendly Purim service filled with songs, dancing, and an appearance from Stretch the Silly Man.
Congregation Agudath Israel, 20 Academy Rd, Caldwell
Wednesday, March 23, 6 – 7:15 p.m.
Star Wars Purim Hoagie Dinner
Star Wars-themed dinner and children’s activities, followed by evening services, megillah reading, Star Wars-themed Purim spiel, and hamantaschen dessert. RSVP requested for dinner.
Morristown Jewish Center, 177 Speedwell Ave, Morristown
Wednesday, March 23, 6 – 9 p.m.
Purim Pizza Party & Megillah Reading
Come in costume for a pizza party, Purim project, megillah reading, and hamantaschen dessert.
RSVP required.
Temple Shalom, 215 South Hillside Ave, Succasunna
Wednesday, March 23, 5:15 – 7:30 p.m.
Purim on the Roof
“Fiddler on the Roof”-themed Purim celebration featuring megillah reading, petting zoo, live music, crafts, and a buffet dinner. RSVP in advance or pay at the door.
Chabad of Union County, 193 South Ave, Fanwood
Thursday, March 24, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Purim for Children & Families
Age appropriate crafts, activities, and carnival games, interactive Purim story, pizza dinner, and hamantaschen. Click here for more information, or to RSVP.
JCC Metrowest, 760 Northfield Ave, West Orange
Thursday, March 24, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Purim’s Crowns and Scepters – A PJ Library Program
Wear your Purim finest for crafts, hamantaschen, and a PJ Library story time. Best for ages 2 – 7, RSVP requested.
Gottesman RTW Academy, 146 Dover Chester Rd, Randolph
Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m. – Noon
Family Purim Party
Listen to the Purim story and sing songs with the rabbi followed by Purim games, crafts, and treats. Free and open to the community. For kids, ages 2 – 7 and their families, RSVP requested.
Mt. Freedom Jewish Center, 1209 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph
Sunday, March 27, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
*All events marked with an asterisk are sponsored by The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, which strives to create an environment that is accessible to all. Please note any special accommodations on the RSVP form.
Purim Carnivals
Purim carnivals are a classic way to celebrate—almost every single synagogue and JCC has one. Check out the list below and get your carnival on!
Temple B’nai Or Purim Carnival
Temple B’nai Or, 60 Overlook Rd Morristown
Sunday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Temple Sinai Purim Carnival
Temple Sinai, 208 Summit Ave, Summit
Sunday, March 13, 10 a.m.
Family Purim Extravaganza
Purim spiel, costume parade, carnival, and magic show. Free and fun for all ages.
Congregation B’nai Israel, 160 Millburn Ave, Millburn
Sunday, March 20, 10:15 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Purim Party and Carnival
Morristown Jewish Center, 177 Speedwell Ave, Morristown
Sunday, March 13, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Shomrei Emunah Purim Carnival
Shomrei Emunah, 67 Park St, Montclair
Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel Purim Carnival
Congregation Beth Israel, 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains
Sunday, March 20, 10:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Purim Extravaganza
Purim spiel and singing, followed by a Purim carnival with face painting, carnival games, and a bounce house.
Temple Shalom, 215 South Hillside Ave, Succasunna
Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
None of these carnivals in your neck of the woods? Click here to find more.
Looking for more Purim inspiration? Check out these 15 Mouthwatering Hamantaschen Recipes for Purim, or download JTA’s new (free!) e-book, 10 Jewish Recipes From Around the World, to add some international flair to your Purim festivities.
The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life’s One Happy Camper NJ is offering a free Purim activity booklet chock full of camp-inspired Purim fun. Click here to get your copy.
