Sunday, April 20, 2025
Purim is a joyous holiday celebrating the story of Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, who saved the Jewish people of Persia from being killed by the royal vizier Haman.
To mark the occasion, members of Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David in Rockville Centre gathered at the synagogue on the evening of Purim, March 13, for a reading from the Book of Esther, or the Megillah. The event featured a lively ice cream party and Megillah reading to celebrate in a “kid-oriented” way, Rabbi David Lerner said.
Everyone gathered at the temple for an ice cream party. An ice cream bar was set up at the back of the room with a variety of toppings, from whipped cream and sprinkles to syrups and fruit. A table of waffles was also available for people to enjoy on their own or make waffle sundaes.
While attendees enjoyed their sweet treats, Lerner played his spiel, or comedic retelling of the story behind the holiday, which was a video starring Lerner and Megillah Gorilla, which had the congregation laughing.
After eating, everyone filed into the sanctuary for a second Purim spiel “with a twist,” performed by students from the Jewish Learning Center. The performance had a 60s theme, with the kids singing covers of Beatles songs, including “Come Together” and “Got to Get You into My Life,” with the lyrics cleverly changed to convey the story of Purim.
Lerner made sure to highlight all the fun and festive costumes the kids were wearing, which included a cow, dinosaurs, a gymnast, Snow White, Ariel and a minion from the movie “Despicable Me.” Lerner himself was dressed in a rodent onesie.
A traditional Megillah reading followed the fun festivities, reminding the congregation of the deeper meaning of the holiday.
“Purim is the story of surviving dark times,” Lerner said at the service, “not just surviving but persevering.”
