Rochester Pre Purim for Families

Ashwin Verghese, Democrat and Chronicle

BRIGHTON — The beautiful Queen Esther made an appearance Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.

Actually, she made several.

Lots of little girls dressed up as the historic queen during Purim Palooza, a celebration of the upcoming Jewish holiday which commemorates how Esther convinced the king of ancient Persia to spare her people.

“It’s kind of a funky, weird little holiday, but it’s really fun,” said Judy Azoff, assistant executive director at the Jewish Community Federation, which co-sponsored the event with the JCC.

Purim is considered one of the more unique Jewish festivities. It celebrates an event that took place outside of Israel. It recognizes Esther, one of the few heroines in ancient Jewish history.

And unlike other holidays, Purim isn’t mentioned in the Torah, said Josh Boress, the federation’s coordinator of teen education.

“It’s one of the newer holidays,” Boress said. “I say new, but it’s still 2,000 years old.”

During Purim, which begins March 9 at sundown, many Jewish children dress in costume, act out the Purim story and shake noisemakers whenever they hear the name of Haman, the king’s wicked advisor who opposed the Jews.

“It’s the most fun family event in the Jewish calendar,” Boress said.

Sunday’s event reflected Purim’s light-hearted tone. Volunteers helped children make their own costumes, T-shirts and noisemakers while Purim-themed songs played out of speakers.

In the JCC basement, there was a bounce house, a miniature bowling set and basketball, among other games.

And in keeping with Tzedakah, the Jewish principle of charity, there was a table where visitors could make a gift basket that would be donated to senior citizens.

Brian Shafer of Brighton said he and his 5-year-old daughter, Molly, have been coming to Purim Palooza for the past three or four years.

“My wife is Jewish and Molly’s Jewish, but I’m not Jewish,” Shafer said. “It’s fun for me, too, because I get to learn a lot.”

Molly got to dress up in a pink gown, make a bracelet at a craft table and eat hamantaschen, a special tri-cornered Purim cookie.

Mordechai Rennert of Brighton and his family were at the event for the first time. His first name happens to be the same as Queen Esther’s brother.

“I’m going to be the butt of all the jokes,” Rennert said.

Matthew Rosen of Brighton was also at the event for the first time.

His 10-year-old son, Yehoshua, knew what Purim was all about. “It’s Haman and Esther and Mordechai,” he said.