Come celebrate Purim with DC Minyan!
We will have Megillah reading on Saturday evening March 19 at 8:45pm at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, followed by an afterparty at Bar Louie, just around the corner. We encourage you to come in costume and to bring a box of pasta or another noisy food to use as a grogger and to donate for matanot l’evyonim (gifts for the poor) after services. We will also have boxes of pasta on sale at Sixth and I, and the proceeds of the grogger sales will be donated to Miriam’s Kitchen, a local DC charity, and Leket Israel, an Israeli charity. You may also make cash donations to these charities, as well as to the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, as you exit services to fulfill the mitzvah of giving gifts to the poor on Purim. Additionally, a bone marrow drive will be taking place at Sixth and I in connection with the Purim celebration, and you will have the opportunity to make cash donations to the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation.
Purim continues on Sunday morning, March 20, with Shacharit at 9:45, followed by Megillah reading. After services, DC Minyan will have its 2nd annual Purim Seudah (festive meal). The seudah is generously sponsored by Belle and Marty Davis; we will have food, singing, a shpiel, and more. The seudah is FREE for members and $10 for non-members; please click here to sign up by March 16th.
We still have plenty of volunteer opportunities for Purim. Additionally, if you are interested in serving as a greeter at Purim evening services or would like to help set up for the Purim seudah on Sunday, please email sc@dcminyan.org.
A NOTE ABOUT PURIM AND SHABBAT: Since Purim falls on a Saturday night this year, there are some special laws and practices. According to halakha (Jewish law), one is not permitted to prepare for Purim before one concludes Shabbat (after 7:59 p.m. on 3/19). Therefore, when Purim falls on a Saturday night, it is customary to make havdalah (ceremony separating Shabbat and the new week) before preparing for Purim and leaving the house. Given that DC Minyan will make havdalah as a community later in the evening, one can either recite havdalah over wine, spices, and fire at home prior to the communal megillah reading, or alternatively, recite the words: “baruch hamavdil beyn kodesh l’chol” anytime after 7:59 p.m. to mark the conclusion of Shabbat. It is then permissible to do any and all melakha (creative acts prohibited on Shabbat), including getting your Purim costume ready.
