Published March 04. 2021 06:50AM
By ANITA HIRSCH
Special to The Press
This year, teachers from the Jewish community were very creative in devising a way to celebrate the holiday of Purim, with a “car-nival.”
Purim is usually celebrated in the synagogue during a reading of the Book of Esther.
Costumes are worn, especially for the main characters of Esther, King Ahasuerus, Haman and Mordecai.
And, groggers or noisemakers are sounded when the name of Haman is read. Carnivals are held with games, food and fun.
The ”car-nival“ was the result of having to celebrate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those interested in participating were invited to decorate their cars for a prize. And, costumes were suggested.
Families were given a route to follow which included driving by the participating organizations: the JCC of the Lehigh Valley, Chabad of the Lehigh Valley, Congregation Keneseth Israel, Temple Beth El, Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, Congregation Sons of Israel and the Jewish Day School on Feb. 21.
At each of the stops on the route beginning at 1 p.m., decorated vehicles filled with costumed families drove around the local Jewish community.
At each station, there were carnival games to play and ingredients were collected to make hamantaschen at home.
This cookie is usually made at Purim in the shape of Haman’s three-cornered hat.
PRESS PHOTOS BY ANITA HIRSCH Marc Szechter and Hadas Seltzer, students at Muhlenberg College, greet the children in the car and give them the first tip at the Temple Beth El station Feb. 21 during the Purim Car-nival.
Jay Needle, dressed as King Ahasuerus, greets Ari Johnson in the car, who gives him the answer to the puzzle at the Purim Car-nival.
PRESS PHOTO BY ANITA HIRSCH Shari Spark, coordinator of ritual and services at Temple Beth El, wearing a giraffe mask, offers a winner a lollipop prize.
