A full array of Southern Arizona Purim parties will ensure that this most fun holiday of the Jewish calendar is action-packed. Take your pick from a string of family-friendly events, submitted by area synagogues and agencies.
Friday, March 6
6 p.m.: Purim Shabbat
Early Shabbat tot and child-friendly service; 6:30 p.m. storytime and crafts, followed by juice and cookies. Congregation Chaverim and PJ Library, 5901 E. 2nd St., RSVP requested but not required. Call 320-1015.
Saturday, March 7
12:30-2:30 p.m.: Secular Humanist Jewish Circle Purim Party
Vegetarian potluck lunch. Learn about ancient roots of Purim. Directions upon RSVP to Pat, ptdmnd@gmail.com, 481-5342. See www.shjcaz.org for details.
Sunday, March 8
10 a.m.-noon: Inaugural Purim Carnival
Games, races, food, prizes, music, balloons, hamantaschen, mishloach manot, fun for every age, and tzedakah for those in need. Congregation Beit Simcha, 2270 W. Ina Road, Suite 100. RSVP to rabbi@beitsimchatucson.org. For more information, www.beitsimchatucson.org.
3 p.m.: PJ Library’s Who Stole the Megillah?
Dress up as a king or queen, or come as someone green. When the rabbi says Haman, drown out his name-en. Enjoy a Seuss-like Purim poem read by Rabbi Billy and be entertained by Ross the magician. Space is limited to 50 children. $5 for PJ families, $10 for others. Barnes & Noble, 5130 E. Broadway Blvd. RSVP and payment required by March 5 at www.jfsa.org/pjmagicalpurim2020.
Monday, March 9
4:30-7 p.m.: The Beatles come to Shushan
Welcome Paul, Ringo, John, and George to celebrate the bravery and courage of Esther and BOO the hatred and prejudice of Haman. Pizza, salad, and hamantashen for families and all ages. Wear costumes. Congregation Chaverim. 5901 E 2nd St. RSVP to admin@chaverim.net or leave a message at 320-1015.
4:54 p.m.: Purim Pandemonium in a Galaxy Close to Home
Free fun and games, food, and hamantashen, for families and children. Bounce house and obstacle course, carnival games and prizes for kids. Dress in Star Wars-themed costumes for a parade. Dinner at 5:45 p.m. Star Wars friends will help read the whole Megillah at 6:36 p.m. Benefit the Community Food Bank by bringing macaroni and cheese boxes to use as groggers. Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. 5th St. RSVP by March 4. Call 745-5550 or visit www.caiaz.org.
5-6 p.m.: Purim Potluck and Megillah Reading
Beth Shalom Temple Center, 1751 N. Rio Mayo, Green Valley. For more information, contact bethshalomtemplecenter2018@gmail.com.
5:30-7:30 p.m.: Purim Carnival
A family-friendly celebration for all ages, the carnival benefits Jewish camperships. Food, booths, card games, giant slide, costume parade with prizes. Sixth and seventh-grade students and families are running the event. The Passport to Paradise grand prize drawing and Purim Spiel will be by seventh-graders at 7 p.m. Tickets for unlimited rides for students through eighth grade are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, and do not include food trucks. Congregation Or Chadash, 3939 N. Alvernon Way. RSVP at 512-8500.
6 p.m.: Megillah Reading
Mel Cohen and Dan Asia will read the Megillah Esther in Hebrew and English, interspersed with joke-telling. Guest chanter Sari Lewis is the great-granddaughter of Handmaker residents. Refreshments, including house-baked hamantashen, follow. Free and open to all. This event is for adults and teens, but all ages are welcome. Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, 2221 N. Rosemont Ave., in the Great Room. Contact Nanci Levy at nlevy@handmaker.org to RSVP.
6:30 p.m.: Purim Whole Megillah Celebration
For everyone, from the youngest to adults seeking to indulge their inner Purim child, join a fun, raucous, unbridled celebration. There will be drinks, hamantaschen, songs, parodies, chanting, costume contests with prizes, and enacting and reading the whole Megillah. Congregation Beit Simcha, 2270 W. Ina Road, Suite 100. RSVP at rabbi@beitsimchatucson.org.
Tuesday, March 10
7 a.m.: Traditional Purim Megillah Reading
Morning minyan and reading for adults. Free hamantashen. Costumes welcome. Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. 5th St. No RSVP needed. Call 745-5550 or visit www.caiaz.org for questions.
4 p.m: Purim Under the Sea
“Under the Sea” costumes are encouraged for the Purim party and Megillah reading with a seafood dinner for adults, $10, and children, $8. Chabad Sierra Vista, 401 Suffolk Drive, Sierra Vista. RSVP to rabbi@jewishsierravista.com or (520) 820-6256.
5 p.m.: Purim Party
A spirited Purim celebration for all ages with Megillah reading, entertainment, music, dinner, and hamantashen. Come in costume or dressed as yourself. The cost is $15. Chabad Oro Valley, 1171 E. Rancho Vistoso #131. For RSVP or details contact mushkie@jewishorovalley.com, 477-8672 or go to
www.jewishorovalley.com/purim.
5 p.m.: The Incredible Purim Party
Back by popular demand, mentalist Brett Barry’s mind-reading show. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres on the patio, brisket and chicken dinner by Carte Blanche Catering under Rabbi Israel Becker’s supervision, hamantashen, and dessert. Adults $36, children 11 and under $18. RSVP by March 1. Congregation Chofetz Chayim, 5150 E. Fifth St. Register and pay online at www.tucsontorah.org/purim. For more information, contact Dr. Jeff DuBois at 248-8663 or oriolestuc@aol.com.
Wednesday, March 11
3:30-5 p.m.: Purim Family BBQ in the Park
Dress in your favorite costume and join other families with children for food and games at Tangerine Sky Community Park, 4411 W. Tangerine Road. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life, and PJ Library. RSVP at www.jfsa.org/nwpurimbbq or 505-4161.
Sunday, March 15
10 a.m.: Purim Extravaganza and Carnival
The free extravaganza includes children’s performances and a Purim Spiel, which is Elton John-themed “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Hamantaschen,” with a full rock band. Carnival wristbands are available: $20 for unlimited rides and pancakes; $15 for rides only; and $5 off for additional wristbands you buy after the first. Individual food and rides tickets are $1. Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Road. For more information, go to www.tetucson.org/worship/holidays/purim.
