The Beth Israel Synagogue invited the ICLP community to their Synagogue in Lexington Park for the Jewish Purim festival. There will be fun activities and prizes for the kids.

From Wikipedia:
Purim: a Jewish festival which is celebrated to commemorate the protection of Jewish people from Haman, according to Hebrew Bible-the Book of Esther. The day is celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Adar according to Jewish calendar. In Jerusalem, the festival is celebrated on the 15th day of Adar.

Observances
Like Hanukkah, Purim has more of a national than a religious character, and its status as a holiday is on a lesser level than those days ordained holy by the Torah. Accordingly, business transactions and even manual labor are allowed on Purim. A special prayer ("Al ha-Nissim"—"For the Miracles") is inserted into the Amidah prayers during evening, morning and afternoon prayer services, and is also included in the Birkat Hamazon ("Grace after Meals.")

The four main mitzvot (obligations) of the day are:

1. Listening to the public reading, usually in synagogue, of the Book of Esther in the evening and again in the following morning (k'riat megillah)
2. Sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot)
3. Giving charity to the poor (matanot la'evyonim)
4. Eating a festive meal (se`udat mitzvah) External Event Url
Beth Israel Synagogue
, Lexington Park, MD, ,