Be Happy! Adar is Here!
That is why village Jews, who live in unwalled towns, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and make it a day of merrymaking and feasting, and as a holiday and an occasion for sending gifts to one another.
Vashti, Vashti, the Queen, Begin The Revolt
Shabbat morning, February 29, during services

Come enjoy the Prayer Through Movement group as they engage mind, body and heart leading to experience a deep connection to prayer.This year’s participants include Reena Bernards, Shari Book, Jackie Glass, Orit Janco Golan, Linda Kacser, Carren Kaston, Malka Kutnick, Ruth Poulin, Carol Rose, and Kathy Wallens. And Mark Sherman on percussion.

They will be moving to the song "Vashti"by Galeet Dardashtii, our guest artist for the Allan Schwarz Music Shabbaton in memory of Rabbi Sid's father, this past November.
Great Jewish Books Continues with Dr. Erica Brown
Sunday, March 1
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

    
The Book of Esther: Biblical Leadership, Dual Loyalties and the Divided Self

In this interactive close-reading of text, we will explore the tensions of biblical figures as they navigate two worlds and two identities and what this conflicted identity offers us as both a model and warning about life in the diaspora.
 
Erica’s just released book Esther: Power, Fate and Fragility in Exile, will be available for sale at the event or you may purchase it by  clicking here .
Dr. Erica Brown is the Director of the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership at the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership at the George Washington University. She is the author of twelve books on leadership, the Hebrew Bible and spirituality. Erica is a renowned teacher of Judaic Studies.
Public Service Announcement: Before you go to sleep on Saturday, March 7:

Change your Clocks!

Spring Forward!

Don't be late for Purim.
 
Sunday, March 8 -- Celebrate Purim All Day!

A Bit of Megillah for our Tots
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Come as your favorite Queen or scare us with your Haman and come hear the Purim Story. This version is G-rated.  
Purim Carnival
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Bouncy House!
Twister! 
Face Painting!
Pizza!
Popcorn!
Hamentaschen!

We will NOT have a ride like this->

Stay and Play and Eat Pizza before the Shpiel!

Purim Shpiel
2PM

Have we got a show for you. Coming to you live from the Magic Kingdom of Shushan, it's Disney Purim!

It's big Megillah Mash Up! All of your favorite Purim characters -- Vashti, Mordechai and Haman meet up with your favorite Disney characters - Elsa, Ariel, Simba and Mulan -- coming together to entertain and delight you. We've got songs, dances and shtick galore! Come see your favorite Adat Shalom clergy and congregants get into the Purim Shpiel!

Appropriate for ages 0 - 120!! Come One, Come All!
The Big Megillah Reading
Monday, March 9, 7PM
Join us for the traditional reading of Megillat Esther. Bring your noisemakers (and favorite beverage, schnapps or otherwise) for a raucous retelling of palace intrigue, femmes fatal, and some old fashioned conspiracy theory. Trust us, this is better than MSNBC!

Featured readers: Rene Boni, David Sieradzki, Ken Avner, Jeff Weintraub, Jeff Toretsky, Cheryl Hurwitz, Rabbi Rachel, Audrey Lyon, Marsha Teichman, and Paula Lewis. And maybe some others.
Shushan Sings: D.C.-Area Poets Speak Out Against Fear & Hatred
Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
With incidents of anti-semitism on the rise across the globe, this reading brings together diverse voices in celebration of the Jewish experience. March 10th is “Shushan Purim,” when traditionally an extra day of Purim was celebrated in walled cities. Our goal is to break down the walls which too often separate us, to celebrate life and bring people together.

Featuring Poets:  Ellen Cole, Teri Ellen Cross Davis, Barbara Goldberg, Merrill Leffler, E. Ethelbert Miller, Yvette Neisser, Jean Nordhaus, Linda Pastan, Myra Sklarew, Katherine Smith, Yermiyahu Ahron Taub, Katherine E. Young

Hosts : Doritt Carroll, Nancy Naomi Carlson, and Luther Jett

Special Guest: Jeanette E. Dixon, Board Member, MCPS

Sponsored by: Adat Shalom, The Writer’s Center &
the D.C. Area Literary Translators Network
Remember way at the top of this email, that part about sending gifts to one another? A few lines later it says that we should also send gifts to the poor. So on Purim there is a tradition of giving Mishloach Manot , traditional Purim gifts of edible treats to loved ones . And also, give some Matanot La’evyonim , traditional Purim tzedakah and other gifts for those who are less fortunate. 

So, at the Purim Carnival, the tickets for the games and the food, will support Adat Shalom Youth Programs and our friends at Manna Food Center.
Consequently, these days are recalled and observed in every generation: by every family, every province, and every city. And these days of Purim shall never cease among the Jews, and the memory of them shall never perish among their descendants.