Purim/Games Night Celebrated at TPUUF

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Purim Party & Games!

Come to a SPECIAL gaming night TOMORROW 3/11 5:30-8:00PM

  • We will tell the ancient Biblical story of how standing up to authority is somehow the best way to defend people you might not have ever met (the story includes a beautiful queen and an evil advisor!)
  • make lots of noise (noisemakers encouraged and provided!),
  • bake special hamantaschen cookies (also eat them!)
  • great excuse to wear a costume!  Characters from the story of Esther are traditional, but nowadays anything goes! (not required, of course)
  • play a variety of board games including some new ones!

Purim, celebrated on the 14th of Adar, is the most fun-filled, action-packed day of the Jewish year. It commemorates Judaism’s miraculous salvation more than two millennia ago.

What is Purim?

The Persian empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects. When King Ahasuerus had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for failing to follow his orders, he orchestrated a beauty pageant to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther, found favor in his eyes and became the new queen—though she refused to divulge the identity of her nationality.

Meanwhile, the anti-Semitic Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire.  Mordechai, the leader of the Jews and Esther’s uncle, defied the king’s orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed and convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar—a date chosen by a lottery Haman made (hence the name Purim, “lots”).

Mordechai convinced Esther to do something as queen.  Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a feast.  At the feast, Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity and told him how Haman had wanted her and her people to be killed.  Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree was issued granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.

On the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14

Please join us for this SPECIAL Games Night for fun with a little Jewish flavor!