The Kansas City Jewish community is invited to celebrate Purim at The J for the fifth year in a row.
Organizers announced the theme for this year’s event as “Purim Extravaganza,” celebrating the “extra” spirit of the holiday with “an emphasis on extra joy, extra fun, extra family and extra community.”
The Purim Extravaganza will be held at The J on Sunday, March 1, from 2 to 5 p.m. Early-bird registration is encouraged and ends Feb. 27. More information on pricing and registration can be found at purimkc.org.
“Last year’s Purim Carnival brought together more than 1,000 members of the Kansas City Jewish community,” said Molly Hess, director of Jewish Experiences, a collaboration of Jewish Federation and The J. “Families from across the metro gathered to celebrate Purim with games, costumes and community. This year, the tradition continues with a focus on bringing the community together through joy, laughter and engaging experiences for all ages.”
The event will feature bounce houses, carnival games and a live show. Organizers are also bringing in a magician to create a playful, over-the-top atmosphere inspired by the characters and themes of Purim. All snacks will be kosher, including popcorn, cotton candy, hamantaschen and a variety of additional treats.
Parking will be available throughout the Jewish Community Campus grounds. Attendees may enter the Purim Extravaganza through the main entrance of the Jewish Community Campus or through the entrance to The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre.
There will be two entry lines for attendees: one for those who pre-registered and paid online and a second line for walk-in registration. Entrance through The J’s fitness center will not be permitted, and attendees entering through that area will be redirected to The White Theatre entrance.
“Purim reminds us that joy itself is a sacred act,” said Rabbi Stephanie Kramer, senior rabbi of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. “In our community-wide celebration, we embrace age-appropriate silliness not as a distraction from meaning, but as a pathway to it — inviting every generation to find themselves in the story. I am deeply grateful that our Purim celebration brings together the full breadth of our community, affiliated and unaffiliated alike, to laugh, to learn and to rejoice together in Jewish life.”
This year’s event is supported by community parents and grandparents who value creating opportunities for their children and grandchildren to celebrate Purim and Jewish life together. For more information or to help support the Purim carnival, those interested can contact Molly Hess, director of Jewish Experiences, at (913) 327-8035 or .
