Jewish Ledger | March 18, 2011

The joyous holiday of Purim begins Saturday evening, March 19. We’ve got a schedule of Purim celebrations all across the state.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17
Cheshire – Purim celebration for preschool families; holiday stories, singing, crafts , snacks; dress in a smock; 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon; Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., (860) 736-0211, www.tbdcheshire.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18
Westport – Shabbat in Shushan for young Jewish professionals in their 20’s and 30’s; four-course Shabbat dinner hosted by the Schneerson Center, 191 Post Rd. West, (203) 635-4118, www.schneersoncenter.org. $18

SATURDAY, MARCH 19
Hamden – Purim Celebration; megillah reading at 5:30 p.m., followed by Night of Stars, featuring singers, dancers, musicians, comedians and more; Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Rd., (203) 288-3877. $25 families; $5 children (hotdogs, hamburgers available for purchase)

Glastonbury – “Purim Shpiel: The Book of Esther According to Elvis,” a humorous, musical interpretation of the Purim story directed by Fred Mann, musical direction by Cantorial soloist Tami Cherdack; 6:30 p.m.; pre-event pizza party at 5:30 p.m.; reservations required; Congregation Kol Haverim, 1079 Hebron Ave., www.kolhaverim.org.

Greenwich – Purim 2011, megillah reading, spiel starring Shrek Princess Fiona, Donkey, Prince Farquadd and the Gingerbread Man; hamantaschen and coffee; 7:30 p.m.; Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Ave., (203) 542-7191.

Orange – “The Greatest Purim Show on Earth” with master illusionist Elliot Zimet, megillah reading, appetizers and drinks; 8:30 p.m.; Chabad of Orange/Woodbridge, 261 Derby Ave., (203) 795-7095

Stamford – Purim Party; megillah reading, live music and entertainment, bar, hamantaschen, prizes for everyone dressed in costume; 8:15 p.m.; Chabad House Stamford, (203) 3-CHABAD x418, morahleah@cahbadstamford.org.

Stratford – Coffee House and reading of the “Whole Megillah;” come in costume, preferably beatnik dress, and a poem or song to share; 8 p.m.; Temple Beth Sholom, 275 Huntington Rd., (203) 378-6175.

West Hartford – Community Purim Party; megillah reading, 8:15 p.m.; women’s megillah reading, 8:15 p.m.; party, 8:45 p.m.; vegetarian/Chalav Yisrael dinner included; Beth David Synagogue, 20 Dover Rd., (860) 236-1241. $10 adults; $8 children (3-10)

Westport – Purim in the Kremlin sponsored by the Schneerson Center’s Jewish Russian group, featuring music by Leon Skolnick, open bar; 8 p.m.; Schneerson Center for Jewish Life, 191 Post Rd. West, (203) 635-4118, www.schneersoncenter.org. $18

SUNDAY, MARCH 20
Greenwich – Purim Carnival; games, prizes, food, giant inflatables; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Temple Sholom, 300 Putnam Ave., (203) 542-7161. Pre-registration, $18 per child/ $36 family max; at the door $20 per child/$40 family max.

Hamden –Purim Carnival, featuring games, a haunted house and  moon bounce; 10 a.m. – 12 noon; Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Rd., (203) 288-3877.

Newington – Megillah reading followed by Purim carnival, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Rd., (860) 561-1055

Norwalk – Purim Carnival Extraordinaire, with hamantaschen, Ultimate Bounce, obstacle course, crafts, games; Congregation  Beth El, 109 East Ave., (203) 838-2710, www.congbethel.org. $10 person (includes food and limited game tickets/$36 for unlimited games.

Orange – Purim Palooza, gaming theater, laser tag zone, inflatables and ball pit, megillah reading, story corner and more; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, 261 Derby Ave., (203) 936-8770. $12 per child; FREE for parents.

Stamford – Purim in Candyland; featuring the French Acrobatic Twins; plus a candy castle, megillah reading, hamantaschen, boxed lunches and more; prizes for those dressed in costumes; 12 noon – 2 p.m.; Chabad House Stamford, (203) 3-CHABAD x418, morahleah@chabadstamford.org.

Trumbull – Purim Carnival; electronic and skill games, prizes, face painting, crafts, costume contest, refreshments; 12 noon – 3 p.m.; Congregation B’nai Torah, 5700 Main St., (203) 268-6940

West Hartford – Purim Carnival hosted by Kehilat Chaverim; see Purim music videos created by the congregation’s students; costume parade; Purim treats; megillah reading; 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.; at the Watkinson School, (860) 916-5998. FREE

West Hartford – Purim Carnival for kids and teens with special needs and their families; hamentaschen bake, Purim computer trivia, lunch, megillah reading, live animals, crafts, music circle, mischloach manot exchange, hosted by the Friendship Circle of Greater Hartford, 12:30 p.m.; at Solomon Schechter Day School, 26 Buena Vista Rd., (860) 833-4035, shayna@friendshipcirclect.com.

West Hartford – Community-wide Family Purim Party; drum circle entertainment by Musical IQ, costume parade, face-painting, inflatables, kosher pasta dinner; 4 – 6 p.m.; Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., (860) 236-4571, (860) 231-6317. $10 adults; $6 children.

West Hartford – “Bubbeh: The Bubbeh Challah story,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story;” followed by a Purim carnival with food, attractions and games; 10:30 a.m.; Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., (860) 233-8215 x230, wwwcbict.org. FREE

Woodbridge – Purim Persian Bazaar; costume parade, Persian Hamentaschen Market, gift making, and more; hosted by the Center for Jewish Life and Learning; 3 – 4:30 p.m.; at the Greater New Haven JCC, 360 Amity Rd., (203) 387-2522 x317

Check our Community Calendar section for more events of interest to the Connecticut Jewish Community!