Celebrate Purim with PJ Library and Our Partners!
Purim 2022/5782 begins on Wednesday, March 16 (at sundown), and Jews will celebrate by hearing the megillah (the Book of Esther, which tells the story of Purim), dressing up, sharing gifts of food with friends (mishloach manot), giving to those in need (matanot l’evyonim), having a festive meal (seudah). You can join a virtual community celebration or use our resources to create a celebration at home. Note: there is also a Purim Katan (a “little Purim”) on February 15th as it’s a leap year in the Jewish calendar.
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Family-Friendly Purim Events
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All activities follow social distancing guidelines. Please see each host organization’s website for details. This list will be updated as events are posted.
BimBam Bag Purim
Purchase by March 2nd
$18/bag/child
At-Home/Virtual
The Bender JCC presents a bagtastic and exciting opportunity to learn about Jewish customs and holidays through arts & crafts, stories, and discussions. When you sign up, we will hand-deliver* Jewish-themed arts & crafts activities to your door to work on independently with your kid(s). A few days later we will get together over zoom and share our creative crafts, read a story, and learn cool facts about the Jewish topic. This program is perfect for children 3+ years old.
MD families sign up with the Bender JCC
VA families sign up with the Pozez JCC
Sunday, March 6th | 3:30 PM
Agudas Achim (2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA)
Free
In-Person
Join Agudas Achim Young Families to get ready for the holiday. We’ll make groggers, costumes, and mishloach manot.
Sunday, March 6th | 4:00 PM
Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA)
Free
In-Person
Chag Purim Sameach! (Happy Purim!) Come celebrate with Growing Jewish Families! Meet your local JFamily Ambassador to have a Purim good time with costumes and fun! Registration is required.
5 Mondays, March 7th–April 4th | 4:30–6:00 PM
5-week session price: $50 for one child, $90 for two kids, and $125 for three kids
Virtual
Enter the world of MineCraft to celebrate Purim and Passover online with friends! Lost Tribe will guide you on missions and competitions to celebrate these holidays. Open to PJ Our Way tweens ages 9-12.
Tuesday, March 8th | 4:30 PM
$8 per screen, to include mailed art materials
Virtual
Join us for a virtual, multi-generational event for PJ kids and their “grandfriends” to celebrate Purim! We will share stories, create costumes, and have a virtual parade! Best for ages 2-6 and their grandfriends. Please register by Monday, February 28th to receive materials in the mail.
Friday, March 11th | 10:00 AM
Gesher Jewish Day School (4800 Mattie Moore Ct, Fairfax, VA)
Free
In-Person
Purim is here! It’s time to celebrate! We are excited to see you and your little ones (in their costumes, of course!) for a fun-sized Purim Playdate outdoors on our Marc Shichman Early Childhood Playlab.
Registration is required.
Friday, March 11th | 5:00 PM
Temple Emanuel (10101 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD)
Free
In-Person, outdoors
Join us outdoors for a special Tot Shabbat featuring Purim songs and treats. Please call 301-942-2000 or email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.
Saturday, March 12th | 10:00 AM
Hidden Pond Nature Center (8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield, VA)
Free
In-Person
Chag Purim Sameach! (Happy Purim!) Come celebrate with Growing Jewish Families! Meet your local JFamily Ambassador to have a Purim good time with costumes and fun! Registration is required.
Sunday, March 13th | 9:00 AM
Temple Emanuel (10101 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD)
Free
In-Person, outdoors
Come in costume for indoor and outdoor festivities, food, games, and fun! Please call 301-942-2000 or email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.
Sunday, March 13th | 10:00 AM
Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County (8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD)
Price TBA
In-Person
Join Beth El to celebrate Purim with a magician, balloon artist, DJ dance party, costume contest and more. For all ages.
Sunday, March 13th | 10:00 AM
Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Plaza (1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA)
$18/skater
In-Person
Join Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families and come skate into Purim! Enjoy two hours of ice skating with an optional 25-minute skating lesson, followed by hamantaschen (kosher, dairy-free, nut-free). Skate-safe costumes highly encouraged! Venue has a strict limit on attendance, so be sure to register by 3/8.
Sunday, March 13th | 11:15 AM (shpiel) and Noon (Carnival)
Congregation Or Chadash (24800 Kings Valley Road, Damascus, MD)
Option to purchase lunch
In-Person
Join Or Chadash to celebrate Purim with a schpiel (a funny retelling of the megillah (the Book of Esther), and the origin story of the holiday), followed by carnival. There will be an opportunity to buy lunch at the carnival.
Sunday, March 13th | 11:00 AM
Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (7727 Persimmon Tree Lane, Bethesda, MD)
In-Person
Carnival fun for all ages! Condensed Megillah reading! Delicious hamantashen! Bring a game or puzzle to swap for a new (to you) one! Costumes encouraged!
Tuesday, March 15th | 5:00 PM
Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia (8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA)
Free
In-Person
Chag Purim Sameach! (Happy Purim!) Come celebrate with Growing Jewish Families! Meet your local JFamily Ambassador to have a Purim good time with costumes and fun! Registration is required.
Wednesday, March 16th | 5:30 PM
Temple Shalom (8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD)
Service is free
In-Person
Join us for a tot and family friendly Purim celebration! Come in costume and bring your groggers (noise makers) as we celebrate the joyful holiday of Purim! You can order pizza for your family to enjoy after the service.
Wednesday, March 16th | 6:30 PM
Temple Emanuel (10101 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD)
Free
In-Person, inside
Join Staff and Mizmor L’shabbat Band for: We Don’t Talk About Haman: An ‘Encanto’ Purim Shpiel! Please call 301-942-2000 or email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP.
Wednesday, March 16th | 7:00 PM
Temple Shalom (8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD)
Service is free
In-Person
Join us for a tot and family friendly Purim celebration! Come in costume and bring your groggers (noise makers) as we celebrate the joyful holiday of Purim! You can order pizza for your family to enjoy after the service.
Friday, March 18th | 5:30 PM
Bender JCC (6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD)
$15 per adult, $10 per child (includes dinner)
In-Person
Join us at the Bender JCC to welcome Shabbat with a BANG! Shabbat Shabbang is a program for young families, designed to create a community of new and old friends. The Whole Shabbang includes challah, hamantaschen, drinks (yes that includes wine), and a specially crafted dinner menu just for us from Flower Child. PLUS a fun, flashy program with experiments with Mad Science! Don’t forget to wear your Purim costume! RSVP by Monday, March 14 by 12 PM
Sunday, March 20th | 9:30 AM–Noon
Temple Shalom (8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD)
Tickets $1 at door
In-Person
Enjoy a Purim Megillah reading and songs followed by a carnival of inflatables, balloon blasters, spin art, sand art, crafts, games, prizes and more!
