Purim Fun!

• The Renaissance Group will host a Purim party for young families from 10 a.m. to noon at Next, 1301 Locust St., Philadelphia. The morning will include children’s activities, a pizza lunch, hamantaschen, story time and a musical Megillah reading. Cost: $25 per family. To register, go to: jewishphilly.org/ren.

 

• Celebrate Purim with the Newtown Hadassah at a hamantaschen bake-off hosted by Barb Kaner at her home at 22 Crocus Lane, Newtown. Judges as well as bakers are needed. RSVP if you would like to bake and enter your hamantaschen in the contest or judge, to 215-579-2434. 

 

• Join Congregations of Shaare Shamayim for a Purim carnival at 9768 Verree Rd,. Philadelphia. The fun will begin at 10 a.m. For tickets, call 215-677-1600.

 

• The Kaiserman JCC, in partnership with Beth David Reform Congre­gation, Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, Perelman Jewish Day School, Yachad, Chabad of Penn Wynne and in conjunction with the Kehillah of Lower Merion, will host “Purim Carnival at the J,” a family-friendly event with a focus on kids ages 2 to 8, at 45 Haverford Rd., Wynnewood. The event, scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will feature a costume parade, DJ entertainment, inflatables and more. Cost: $10 per person for kids ages 2-plus (adults free). Call 610-896-7770.

 

• Old York Road Temple-Beth Am invites the community to try their hand at games and a chance to win prizes at an 11 a.m. Purim carnival at 971 Old York Rd., Abington. Call 215-886-8000.

 

• Congregation Beth El will host a full afternoon of fun and evening festivities at 375 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley. The celebration begins at 4:30 p.m. with children’s Purim activities and a costume parade, followed by a dinner at 5:15 p.m.; a 6 p.m. children’s Megillah reading; and an ice cream sundae bar dessert opening at 6:30 p.m. An adult Megillah reading is set for 7 p.m., followed by a dessert reception and an inaugural “Stump the Rabbi” competition at 8:30 p.m. Cost for dinner: $10 adults, $7 children. RSVP to 215-493-1707, Ext. 3.

 

• Join Adath Jeshurun for a family Megillah reading and a Sports Purim show at 7:15 p.m., at 7763 Old York Rd., Elkins Park. For more info, go to: adathjeshurun.info.

 

• Congregation Mikveh Israel will host Purim services at 5:30 p.m., followed by the reading of the Megillah, at 44 N. Fourth St., Phila­delphia. A Purim celebration will follow the service. Cost: $12 per person; $36 per family. Call 215-922-5446.

 

• Tiferet Bet Israel invites eveyone to celebrate the holiday at 7 p.m., at 2478 Street Rd., Warrington. Call 215-343-0155.

 

• Lubavitch of Bucks County invites you to celebrate the holiday with live music, an adult bar, light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, and a costume contest at 6:15 p.m., at 24 N. State St., Newtown. No charge. Call 215-497-9925.

 

• Everyone is welcome to a family-friendly celebration featuring a 6 p.m. pasta dinner, a Megillah reading and a Purim schpiel based on the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, at 7 p.m., at Main Line Reform Temple, 410 Montgomery Ave., Wynnewood. Dinner cost: $5 per person. RSVP for dinner to: ecapello@mlrt.org.

 

• Lubavitch of Bucks County will host its Aleph Bet Purim carnival at 5:15 p.m., at the Glazier Center, 25 N. State St., Newtown. Free admission. Carnival tickets: 25 cents each. You are also invited to come in costume to a Purim “Glow in the Dark” celebration at 6:15 p.m., at the Mercer Museum’s Elkins Gallery at 85 S. Pine St., Doylestown. Dinner will be served. Cost: $10 adults, $10 children, $50 family. Call 215-497-9925.

 

• The Yardley Shul will host a Mexican Purim Fiesta & Buffet at 6 p.m., at 1444 Yardley-Newtown Rd., Yardley. Cost: $5 per person/$20 family. RSVP to: jewishcenter.info.

 

• Preschool-age children are invited to a 5 p.m. mini-Megillah reading at Society Hill Synagogue, 418 Spruce St., Philadelphia. The Hebrew school will perform “Megillah Around the Clock” cantata at 6 p.m., followed by a 6:45 p.m. scotch tasting and a 7:15 p.m. Megillah reading. Call 215-922-6590.

 

• Mekor Habracha Center City Synagogue invites the community to celebrate the holiday of Purim with a night of Megillah and Music at 5:45 p.m., at 2000 Chestnut St., second floor, Philadelphia. Attendees are invited to come in costume. Moments of Wrong will provide the music. Call 215-525-4246.

 

• Congregation Mikveh Israel invites the community to a Seudat (banquet) Purim following 5:30 p.m. services, at 44 N. Fourth St., Phila­delphia. Cost: $36, members, $45, non-members. Call 215-922-5446.

 

• The Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center will host a “Purim Glow in the Dark” celebration at 5:15 p.m., at 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Rydal. For more info, call 267-538-5757.

 

• The Jewish Family and Children’s Service and Spectrum Philly will host a Purim Drag Ball for the Jewish LGBTQ community from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St., Phila­delphia. Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call 267-256-2257.

 

• Join Congregation Beth El for a 7 a.m. morning minyan and Megillah reading, followed by a Purim breakfast, at 375 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley. Call 215-493-1707, Ext. 3.

Celebrate with the Lubavitch of Bucks County at “Purim in the Persian Palace” featuring a Purim seudah dinner at 5:30 p.m., at the Glazier Center, 25 N. State St., Newtown. A 5 p.m. Megillah reading will open the evening. Cost: $25 adult ($36 after March 1). $15 children ($25 after March 1). RSVP to 215-497-9925.

 

• Chabad of Chester County will host “Purim in the Deep Blue Sea” at 5 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel-Valley Forge Park Ballroom, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia. The evening will include a kosher buffet dinner with sushi, music and entertainment. Cost: $25 adults, $15 children/ $75 family maximum. RSVP to 610-971-9977 by March 2

 

• Aish Philadelphia will celebrate the holiday with a 5 p.m. gourmet dinner (a combination of homemade delicacies and Chinese from Cherry Grill), face painting, balloon making and plenty of L’chaim’s BYOB at 50 Montgomery Ave., Bala Cynwyd. Cost: $25 adults, $10 children. RSVP to: aishphila.com/2011/register.php.

 

• Celebrate Purim with the Young Friends Group of the National Museum of American Jewish History from 9 p.m. to midnight, at 101 S. Independence Mall East, Phila­delphia. Costumes and cocktail attire are encouraged. Dessert and open bar included. For tickets, go to: nmajh.org/youngfriends.

 

• The Shira Chapter of Amit Philadelphia Council will host a “Mix It & Mask It” Purim party at 8:30 p.m., in a private home. The party will be catered by Espresso Café of the Northeast. Cost: $50 per person, $36 per person under age 35. To RSVP, call 410-484-2223.

 

• Dress as your favorite Purim character at a carnival hosted by Congregation Tifereth Israel at 2909 Bristol Rd., Bensalem. No charge for admission. Proceeds will go to the Mindel family in memory of Debbie Mindel. Call 215-752-3468.

 

• The holiday celebration will continue at Congregation Beth El with the Bible Players at 375 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley. A children’s performance is set for 10 a.m., followed by an adults’ performance at 11 a.m. Suggested donation: $5 per family. RSVP to 215-493-1707, Ext. 3.

 

• Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel will host a Kehillah Purim Carnival at 8339 Old York Rd., Elkins Park. Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Preschool admission will be at 11:15 a.m., with general admission from noon to 2 p.m. Call 215-887-8700.

 

• Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir~Heart of the City will celebrate the holiday at 2 p.m., in the social room at William Penn House, 1919 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. The Megillah will be read, along a skit dealing with topical issues of the day. Call 215-629-1995.

 

• Children of all ages are invited to a Purim celebration hosted by Main Line Reform Temple, 410 Montgomery Ave., Wynnewood. The morning will open at 10 a.m. with a Purim schpiel, followed by a carnival scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $18. Call 610-642-0304.