March Mitzvah Moments Madness!

For the month of March, we are emphasizing the Purim mitzvah of helping support individuals in need. Each week, we will collect different items* to donate to a range of amazing community partners. See below for the full schedule!

March 1: Mac and cheese, boxes of pasta, rice or beans to use as groggers and donate to the JFCS food pantry.  

March 8: New or gently used Backpacks, duffle bags and sleeping bags for Venetia Valley School's Outdoor Ed program.

March 15: Diapers, wipes, formula or gently used baby/toddler items and clothes for the Postpartum Support Center (no car seats, please).

March 22: New adult-sized socks to be distributed by St. Vincent de Paul.

*All items should be placed in the bins in our Justice Center (1st floor, off the Rodef Sholom Lobby).

A special bonus Mitzvah Moment: Come to the Purim Spiel on Sunday, March 1 and pick up a mishloach manot (a gift bag of food) from us to deliver to home-bound community members who are unable to celebrate with us in person.

What to expect 

An evening of zany, storytelling fun and merriment,  beginning with a community dinner at 5:30pm. One of the primary themes of Purim is the upside-down nature of the holiday: a celebration in which we are encouraged to embrace a reality different from our norm. What's up is down, and what's down is up, and this year, it's all Shrek themed!

About Purim 

The story of Purim is told in the Book of Esther, in which the Persian king Ahashverosh banished his queen Vashti for failing to obey his every command, then married a new bride, Esther. Esther was told to keep her Jewish faith a secret by her cousin, Mordecai. When Mordecai refused to bow down before Haman, the Royal Vizier, Haman plotted to kill all the Jews as revenge.

Mordecai persuaded Esther to risk her life by going to the king without being summoned and revealing her faith. After inviting the king and Haman to a great feast, she revealed that she was Jewish and persuaded the king to allow the Jews to defend themselves against Haman’s plot. The Jews defeated the assassins, Haman was executed and Mordecai was appointed to take his place. Purim reminds us that, even though we face enemies, we will overcome adversity.