Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills

Some insight from Rabbi Birnbaum: Interesting perspective not heard or seen too much on the air or cyberspace. Fighting the pathetic, discredited far right is fighting the last war. A war against the Jews that we horrifically last. Today's biggest threats are reactionary Islamofascism and its strange bedfellow, the far left. Apparently there is a point where all extremes meet. Or as Tom Lehrer sung in my youth: "The white folks hate the black folks and the black folks hate the white folks, etc. ... and everyone hates the Jews." http://www.jpost.com/O/Column-One-Trump-and-the-Jews-502759

Purim was celebrated all around the world - Even in Tokyo as the Israeli baseball team is working on being the underdog story of the year! Be sure to check them out!

Shabbat this week is as follows: Candle Lighting Time: 5:39PM Shabbat Ends on Saturday: 6:39PM - followed by Purim! Torah portion of the week: Tetzaveh

So, how do you celebrate Purim? Purim is celebrated by listening to the Megillah - the story of Esther. Note: this is not a Biblical story, rather Esther made her own impact on Jewish history. We celebrate by dressing in costumes and eating triangle shaped cookies called Hamentashen - it is rumored that Haman wore a triangle shaped hat. Instead of the bitter, we fill them with sweet fillings to celebrate. We also give Shalach Manot baskets - presents and tzedakah. And finally, we make lots of noise every time Haman is mentioned in the Purim story - actually, there is one more tradition: Drink up! Enjoy the celebration of life :-) This year, Purim starts After Shabbat on Saturday at Sunset and concludes on Sunday an hour after Sunset - be sure to hear the Megillah and BOOOOO at Haman's name.

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