Alpert Jewish Community Center, Jewish Long Beach Purim events

Jewish Long Beach and Alpert Jewish Community Center have two events planned this March in celebration of Purim, known as the Feast of Lots, the most joyous Jewish celebration of the year. “Rock the Megillah” for adults age 18 and over is on Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. “Hocus! Pocus! Hamentaschen!” is for Families on Sunday, March 20, at 1 p.m. Purim officially begins March 16 at sundown.

Purim is a remembrance observed in festive, carnival-like traditions. As told in the book of Esther, brave Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai protected the Jews from Haman who wanted to execute all the Jews in the Persian Empire in the fourth century BC.

On March 10, “Rock the Megillah,” will take partygoers back to the 80s with an evening of dancing and drinks to live 80s hits performed by Pop Gun Rerun. Megillah is Hebrew term for the scroll that the book of Esther was written on. Costumes are strongly encouraged, both for dancing and the photo booth. There will be beer, wine, kosher sweets including hamantaschen, which is a triangle pastry that commemorates the celebration and is in the shape of Haman’s hat.

Hocus! Pocus! Hamentaschen! provides families an opportunity to celebrate the whimsy of Purim and bravery of Queen Esther and Mordecai with crafts, games, body art, LOTS of hamantaschen (filled with flavors ranging from chocolate to poppyseed, and many in between), and a special performance from Joseph Derry’s Theater of Magic. Children ages two to eight will have a blast learning about the meaning of Purim through music and play.

Both events will take place outdoors at the Alpert Jewish Community Center on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus 3801 E. Willow St. Long Beach, CA 90815 and will move indoors if it rains.

Visit purim22 to purchase tickets for both events ahead of time. Tickets will be sold at the door, capacity permitting. Rock the Megillah is $15 for the concert only and $10 for AJCC members; concert plus unlimited drink and dessert is $40 per person $36 for Alpert JCC members. Ticket packages available! Hocus! Pocus! Hamentaschen! is $10/Person and $5/person for Alpert JCC and Temple Israel Long Beach members; children under two are free. Parking is free, but carpooling is encouraged. Financial assistance is available for anyone unable to afford admission.

Giving back this Purim: We are pleased to partner with JCC Cares to host a hygiene drive in honor of Purim, benefiting LBUSD foster care students. Donations of travel sized toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoos, conditioners, deodorant, face masks, hand sanitizers, and other personal care items will be collected at the AJCC from March 6-25, including at both Purim events.

The Alpert JCC and Jewish Long Beach provide programming for all ages and stages of life. Known as “Your Center for Life,” The Alpert JCC provides a gathering space in which all are welcome to pursue early childhood education, after-school programs, fitness programs, aquatics activities, and summer camp, as well as to engage in Jewish life, culture, and education.