Adar was a busy month at Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA)!
THA, together with the JCC and Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) collected food for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona in the Chai (18) days leading to Purim!
Mishloach Manot : משלוח מנות , also called a Purim basket, is a gift of food or drink sent to family, friends and others on Purim day. The Mitzvah of giving Mishloach Manot derives from the Book of Esther. It is meant to ensure that everyone has enough food for the Purim feast held later in the day, and to increase love and friendship among Jews and their neighbors.
In the week leading to Purim, decorations were made and hung around the school while hundreds of hamentashens (traditional cookies) were baked. On Purim day, a fun celebration took place at THA. The morning started with a Megillah reading by Rabbi Boruch Zimmerman from Chabad of Oro Valley. It was followed by a costume parade and Purim Spiel (play) put on by the upper school. On the THA field, the fun continued with an outdoor carnival that included game stations such as fossil hunter, giant pong, Skee-Ball, plus an obstacle course and photo booth. There were also concessions booths with popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy, as well as several activities such as making Tzedakah boxes, Jeopardy, and a courtyard Se’udah (meal).
Our Community Action Team (CAT) volunteers put together all the Mishloach Manot and ensured that every family received one.
