Dear [first_name],

Purim is coming! The most joyous day on the Jewish calendar falls on Saturday night, March 11, and Sunday, March 12.

Here at South Head, we will be commencing our celebrations this evening with an early kick-off at 5:45pm. Join us for our Grand Purim Masquerade and Musical Kabbalat Shabbat for adults, and Looney Tunes for kids. Details below.

On Purim, we are commanded to be happy.

But what if you don’t feel like being happy? What if you’re just not in the mood? In His wisdom, G‑d gave us a great gift. The antidote to unhappiness is reaching out to others and helping them. Putting yourself aside, even for a few moments, in order to help someone else, provides a feeling of contentment and happiness and helps change your mindset and feelings for the better.

Not surprisingly, two of the four Purim observances involve helping others. One is mishloach manot, giving gifts of at least two ready-to-eat foods to a minimum of one person, and the other is matanot laevyonim, giving money to at least two needy people. So if you don’t feel like being happy, put yourself aside, think of someone else and make their day.

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom and a truly joyous and happy Purim, on behalf of the Rebbetzen and all of us at South Head.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

I would like to remind you of the basic laws and customs associated with this joyous time:

1) The “Half Coins” (Machatzit HaShekel)
It is a tradition to give three coins in “half” denominations—e.g., three half-dollar coins—to charity, to commemorate the half-shekel that each Jew contributed as his share in the Holy Temple. This should be performed before the reading of the megillah.
You can fulfill this mitzvah by donating to South Head's Simchas Yom Tov Fund for families in need.

2) Torah Reading of Zachor
On the Shabbat before Purim (this year, March 11), a special reading is held in the synagogue. We read the Torah section called Zachor (“Remember”), in which we are enjoined to remember the deeds of (the nation of) Amalek (Haman’s ancestor) who sought to destroy the Jewish people.
This teaches us that no matter how happy and secure we may feel, we must remain eternally vigilant in this world which has not yet been redeemed.

3) Listen to the Megillah
To relive the miraculous events of Purim, listen to the reading of the megillah (the Scroll of Esther) twice: once on Purim eve, Saturday night, March 11 at 8:30pm, and again on Purim day, March 12 at 8:40am.
To properly fulfill the mitzvah, it is crucial to hear every single word of the megillah.
At certain points in the reading where Haman’s name is mentioned, it is customary to twirl graggers (Purim noisemakers) and stamp one’s feet to “eradicate” his evil name.
Tell your kids that Purim is the only time when it’s a mitzvah to make noise in Shule!

4) Give to the Needy (Matanot La’Evyonim)
Concern for the people in need is a year-round responsibility; but on Purim it is a special mitzvah.
Give charity to at least two (but preferably more) individuals in need on Purim day, Sunday March 12.
You can fulfill this mitzvah by donating to South Head's Simchas Yom Tov Fund for families in need. As with the other mitzvahs of Purim, even small children should be taught to fulfill this mitzvah.

5) Send Food Portions to Friends (Mishloach Manot)
On Purim we emphasize the importance of Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends.
On Purim day, March 12, send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g., pastry, fruit, beverage) to at least one friend. Men should send to men, and women to women. It is preferable that the gifts be delivered via a third party.
Children, in addition to sending their own gifts of food to their friends, make enthusiastic messengers.

6) Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Purim should be celebrated with a special festive meal on Purim day, at which family and friends gather together to rejoice in the Purim spirit. While it is a mitzvah to drink wine and spirits at this meal, one should never drink to excess.

President's Message

I wish a happy Purim to everyone. Purim is a time of great joy and celebration. What are some of the special characteristics of Purim? First, God is hidden – in the Megillah, there is no mention of God – in fact, the name “Esther” is related to the Hebrew word “hastair” meaning hidden or concealed. Of course, we believe that the threat to the Jews and their salvation all are part of God’s plan, but in the Purim events the Jews themselves have to take the lead in acting to save themselves. Our enemy, Haman, is an Amalekite – the perpetual enemy of the Jewish people. Despite our best efforts – and Haman and his sons are both killed then hung from the gallows – we will always confront such enemies in every generation. Read More

We are so excited for our LOONEY TUNES PURIM event!!! Tonight (Friday, at 5.45pm)

• Show-off your Purim costume
• Pose for picture with Looney Tunes characters 
• Professional Magic Show
• Hammentashen Decorating
• and other activities!!!

Looking forward to seeing you,
Elimelech & Shimi

One year, when the holiday of Purim was approaching, I copied an idea from a fellow Chabad emissary by producing a Purim flyer which advertised a UPS (United Purim Service.) The flyer proclaimed “This is the whole Megilla” across the top, and which then went on to say that many Jews heard of Magilla Gorilla but most Jews never heard of the real “Megilla.” Magilla Gorilla was a popular kids’ cartoon in the 1960s, featuring a gorilla dressed in a bow tie, shorts held up by suspenders and an undersized derby hat. Read More

Q. Parashat Tetzaveh is the only Parasha where the name of Moshe is not mentioned from the moment he was born until his passing. The Parasha opens with the words V’Atah Tetzaveh - and you shall command. (The you is referring to Moshe and Hashem is telling Moshe to instruct the Jewish people). Why is this so?

Read More