Happy March/Chodesh Tov Temple Beth Israel

Hooray, we have finally reached March, which means spring is right around the corner!

After what has been a brutal winter, the coldest in recent memory, we can set our sights to warmer days, more sunshine, the blossoming of flowers, and hopefully less winter weather. At the beginning of the month, we turn the clocks forward and after a few months without major Jewish holidays, we begin to awaken from the festival-less doldrums.

As we turn the calendar to March, we usher in the Hebrew month of Adar; a time according to our rabbis, when we increase our joy each day. Both March and Adar are no-doubt topsy, twisty months; in like a lion, out like a lamb. It’s the most appropriate time to celebrate Purim; a story chock-filled with wild, unpredictable plot-twists, and festive parties designed to invoke Jewish pride.

In Adar, we turn our hearts to revelry and jubilation as we prepare our souls for the raucous celebration known as Purim, which we will honor with a play and carnival on Sunday, March 1st, starting at 10am. It’s been a long winter so let your hair down and consider dressing-up in costume; this year’s theme is The Wizard of Oz. We will continue the party with an adult game night, starting at 2pm.

Lastly, it’s never too soon to think about your Passover plans. On Wednesday, April 1st we will gather at Sibley Hall on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus to host our delicious, catered Pesach seder, beginning at 5:15pm. We will dive into the 30-minute Haggadah for what is expected to be a song-filled night of matzah mayhem. Please stay tuned for RSVP forms and menu

selections.

Chag Purim Samaech v’Zissen Pesach,

Rabbi David Joslin