Anticipating Purim

Everyone got into the Purim spirit on March 18 at i-Shine, Teaneck’s annual pre-Purim party at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus. It was sponsored by Teaneck’s, Cedar Market, Butterflake Bakery, and Glatt Express. There was food, including fruits and veggies, blow-up rides, a photo booth, professional face-painting, and music from DJ Dov Katz. Children received mishloach manot and costumes, courtesy of i-Shine. The party welcomed special guests from the recently launched i-Shine Westchester program. i-Shine is Chai Lifeline’s national afterschool program. (Courtesy i-Shine)

The JCC of Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah, Congregation Beth Tefillah, and the Sephardic Congregation of Paramus held a joint Purim carnival on March 17 at the JCC/CBT. Here, Talya Safier, president of Beth Tefillah paints a design on a young carnival-goer. (Sandy Alpern)

Residents of the Bristal Assisted Living in Woodcliff Lake celebrated Purim by baking hamantaschen with seventh graders from Valley Chabad Hebew School, who also performed a play for them on March 17. (Courtesy Chabad)

Sixth graders pack hamantaschen for distribution as part of the efforts by the sisterhood of Temple Sinai in Tenafly to distribute 700 mishloach manot bags for congregants, early childhood school families, and synagogue staff, and to donate and deliver 50 bags for Meals on Wheels to clients at Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey. On March 17, more than 50 volunteers packed insulated lunch bags with kosher food, and hamentaschen, and more than 50 volunteers delivered them. (Courtesy Temple Sinai)

Hayley Leopold and Ilana Unger, students at the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies, dressed up for a pre-Purim celebration last Sunday. After shortened classes, students decorated Purim masks while parents and teachers helped make and distribute popcorn and cotton candy. (Courtesy BCHSJS)

Congregation Kol HaNeshamah’s USY of Englewood group held a hamantaschen bake-off at a private home. (Kol HaNeshamah)