Sunday, Feb. 24
10:30 am at Ohef Sholom, 3 pm at Beth Sholom Village
Does Cookie Monster love triangular Hamentaschen as much as circular cookies? Is Oscar grouchy about the Jewish people when he dresses up as Haman? And, can Big Bird rule over ancient Persia? Find out at Ohef Sholom’s Purimshpiel.
Starring members and clergy of Ohef Sholom Temple, the annual tradition of retelling the Purim story through skits and humor, songs and high quality entertainment, will take place in the temple’s Sanctuary and later in the afternoon in the multi-purpose room at Beth Sholom Village. Both shows are free and open to the public.
Jewish tradition holds that the story contained in the Scroll of Esther, or Megilla, is read on the 14th of the Jewish month of Adar, which is the holiday of Purim. Many synagogues put on a humorous telling of the Purim story, often using familiar cultural themes.
“The story of Purim has a lot of hidden humor, irony, and lessons,” says Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin, author and director of this year’s shpiel. “So, I thought of the Sesame Street characters. Who better to bring out the joy of Purim than characters who are easily recognizable for their comedy and ability to teach?”
Geared to appeal to all ages, the characters from the PBS show at OST will include Grover, Ernie, Bert, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Murray.
Familiar songs from the Sesame Street program have been re-fitted with new lyrics that tell the Purim story and traditions.
At Ohef Sholom, past Purimshpiels have been told through the characters and music of The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Walt Disney, The Beatles, and Rodgers and Hammerstein, among other themes.
The shpiel at OST will be followed by Ohef Sholom Temple Youth Group’s Purim Carnival, filled with games, food and prizes. Proceeds benefit the youth group, OSTY.