Herald Neighbors

Having fun at the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre's Purim Carnival

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About 300 community members poured into the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre on March 4 to play games and win prizes at the synagogue’s annual Purim Carnival.

“The whole community comes in to have fun,” said Noa Rogoszinski, the president of the synagogue’s youth group, which organized the event. “It’s great to see the kids enjoying the games and how fun they are, and they all look like they’re having a great time.”

The carnival had many games and activities for children, including a ring toss, a pie throwing station and a new operation game, based on the popular board game. At each station, participants had a chance to win tickets to exchange for prizes.

“Over the years the HERJC community has built games in order to create a home-style carnival experience, where you can really feel the hard work put in by the community,” said Senior Youth Advisor Mitchell Podgoroweiz.

The youth group members set up the stations, worked at the games and helped hand out prizes. “The kids worked so hard to put it together,” said Bonnie Zakarin, the cantor for the synagogue. “It gives them a sense of accomplishment.”

Zakarin, who dressed up as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” said her job at the carnival was to make sure everyone was having fun. “The whole point is for the kids to smile and have a good time,” she said.