After the success of last year’s community-wide Purim event, the Kansas City Jewish community is invited to celebrate Purim together again.
Purim at the Carnival will be held at The Barstow School on Sunday, March 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will bring the entire community together for fun, games and more.
This year’s event costs $10 per family and will include activities for all ages and is open to all. Tickets can be purchased at the door but guests are encouraged to get their family tickets ahead of time by visiting PurimKC.org.
“I am so excited that our entire Jewish community is collaborating again for the second year in a row,” said Rabbi Stephanie Kramer, senior rabbi at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. “I hope this will become an annual community-wide Purim celebration with ways to enhance the joy of Purim. B’nai Jehudah is thrilled we can be a part of the festivities and look forward to seeing everyone in attendance.”
After a successful collaboration across synagogues and agencies at last year’s Purim event, organizations are working together again to bring a great event to Kansas City.
“Though we have a strong hero and heroine in the Purim story with Esther and Mordechai, the real hero are the actions of the Jewish people,” said Rabbi David Glickman, senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom. “All of the Jewish people fast and pray for redemption, all of the Jewish people stand up to the oppressive regime, all of the Jewish people celebrate through generosity, all of the Jewish people receive light and joy. A city-wide Purim celebration raises up the strength of the entire Jewish people in greater Kansas City.”
Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume and engage with new members of the community.
“It’s always wonderful when the community can find ways to come together, not just in a crisis, but to celebrate and have fun,” said Rabbi Moshe Grussgott, senior rabbi at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. “I’m really looking forward to connecting with people from various communities, and to sharing in the joy of Purim together.”
“The Jewish Experiences team is thrilled to collaborate with so many local organizations and synagogues to produce another fun, family-friendly Purim event,” said Ethan Helfand, director of Jewish Experiences, a Collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J.
In addition to the partnership across agencies and congregations, private funding has been crucial to the creation of this year’s event.
"I love the Kansas City Jewish Community, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to support connection in our community through tradition and experience," said Josef Loeffler, lead funder for this year’s event.
This year’s event is supported by: Josef Loeffler; Congregation Beth Shalom; Congregation Beth Torah; Congregation BIAV; Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy; Jewish Experiences, A Collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J; KI Synagogue; New Reform Temple; The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah; and Vaad Kansas City.
In addition to this year’s community Purim event, the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, in partnership with Village Shalom, The J’s Heritage Center, and local congregations will be hosting a community-wide Purim seudah (festival meal). Registration closed on March 1. More information is available at PurimKC.org.