Chabad to hold 'Purim in Italy' party

Monroe — In celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim, observed this year on Saturday night, March 19 through Sunday, March 20, Chabad of Orange County, directed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, will host several Purim events for children and adults of all ages. All are welcome, regardless of affiliation or background. The holiday of Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people living in the fourth century from Haman’s plot to annihilate the entire Jewish nation. On March 19, at 8 p.m. Chabad will hold a reading of Megillat Esther, refreshments and traditional hamantashin at Chabad’s Monroe-Chester Center, at 1170 Route 17M, Suite 1 in Chester. On Sunday, March 20, Chabad’s grand community Purim party, “Purim in Italy,” will celebrate Purim with Italian flair at the Goshen Harness Museum, at 240 Main St., in Goshen. This event, which begins at 3 p.m, will include an interactive megillah reading, masquerade with prizes, Italian cuisine, Italian wines, special Italian entertainment as well as games and crafts for children. There will also be mishloach manot (Purim baskets) as door prizes and desserts. This party is free of charge. Chabad welcomes sponsorship and donations for the event. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes. Chabad has initiated a humanitarian project for the party: Guests are encouraged to bring along a box of dry kosher pasta to be used as a “gragger.” (At certain points in the reading of the Megillah, where Haman’s name is mentioned, it is customary to twirl graggers — Purim noisemakers — and stamp one’s feet to “eradicate” his evil name.) The pasta boxes will then be donated to a local food bank. For more information on Purim events, and to RSVP, call Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston at 782-2770, email RSVP@ChabadOrange.com or visit www.ChabadOrange.com.