The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City will be hosting a community-wide Purim celebration on March 7 at Village Shalom.
Reservations are required by March 1 to attend the celebration on Tuesday, March 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Village Shalom. The program will also be offered virtually. There is no charge to attend the program, which includes lunch, but attendees are asked to register online by March 1 at forms.gle/9g3Svmy1ehC3dVvK6.
“Purim is a time of communal celebration as we soberly recognize the reality that our people came close to annihilation… and yet survived,” said Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Community Chaplain. “The Rabbinical Association is dedicated to offering the communal Purim gathering for our community. Just as the evil plans of Haman included all the Jews, from older to younger, we want and hope to bring together the Jews of Kansas City at our Jewish community village for singing, storytelling (the Megillah), exchanging gifts (shalach manot), and sharing a festive meal.”
Participating clergy include Rabbis David Glickman, Caitlin Brazner, Moshe Grussgott, Larry Karol, Beryl Padorr, Jonathan Rudnick, Linda Steigman, Scott White, and Hazzan Tahl Ben-Yehuda. The celebration will include an interactive reading of the Megillah along with music and discussion. The program will conclude with a catered lunch, and shalach manot gift bags will be given to those in attendance at Village Shalom.
A Zoom link will be sent to all participants who register to participate virtually a few days prior to the March 7 program.
Rabbi Beryl Padorr, Rabbinical Association rabbinic liaison to the community Purim Seudah Day celebration, said, “The Purim day celebration is an opportunity for members of the Rabbinical Association to come together to celebrate our survival and heritage with members of our Jewish community. The costumes, songs, and good food add to the merriment of this holiday, and I love seeing multi-generations of families celebrating together in joy and happiness. As we sound our groggers and noise makers during the Megillah reading when we mention the evil Haman’s name, we are reminded that goodness, love, and community will always win out. Mi she’nichnas Adar, Marbim B’simcha – When the month of Adar comes in, increase your joy.”
Participants are welcome to wear a costume and are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the JFS Food pantry.
The Purim program is sponsored by the Rabbinical Association in partnership with Village Shalom, the Heritage Center, and congregations, and generously supported by the Flo Harris Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
Those interested can find information or register at kcrabbi.org or by contacting Annette Fish, Administrator/Program Director, Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City at or call 913-327-8226.
