Purim 5785

The festive holiday of Purim begins Thursday evening, March 13th and continues through Friday, March 14th. Let's celebrate TOGETHER, CSI-style! This year, we are back with an exciting, creative Megillah experience, Purim Carnival, and Purim Shpiel. More than any other Jewish holiday, Purim is about joy. Purim is about letting go of the masks of propriety and revealing our silliness. Get ready to lighten and brighten the season with yet another unprecedented communal experience and the refreshing playfulness of Purim at CSI.

Scroll down to check out our full list of Purim happenings!

purim dinner & festive megillah reading - thursDAY, march 13th @ 6 PM

We're excited for our signature unique and fun-filled Megillah reading on Thursday evening, March 13th! Our in-person Megillah reading will take place in the Sanctuary accompanied by our Megillah Mugshots pictorial slideshow of community members from CSI and Ma'alot "performing" the Book of Esther in photographs. It all begins with a Family & Community Dinner at 6 pm, followed by the Megillah reading at 6:45 pm. 

Please note: Mincha services will still be held in the Chapel at 6 pm.

A second, full Megillah reading will take place during Morning Services on Friday, March 14th at 7 am on Zoom at our regular minyan link. 

Please register for the dinner by Monday, March 10th.

Register for Dinner & Megillah Reading 

Megillah Mugshots - Learn More & Submit Here

PURIM CARNIVAL: sunday, march 16TH @ 10 Am

Get ready for an exciting Pirates of Purim-themed Purim carnival with a bounce house, games, hamantashen, PJ Library, a costume contest, and fun for all ages! There is no fee for the carnival, but you're invited to make a contribution to support the program. Various food and delicious coffee will be provided. Register below. 

Register for the Purim Carnival

PURIM SHPIEL: sunday, march 16th @ 12:30 pm 

We're excited for another unforgettable Purim shpiel, written by CSI's own acclaimed playwright Ali Viterbi and directed by Ori Salzberg. Come enjoy an entertaining and delightful "Wicked"-themed performance from Shearith Israelites of all ages! 

Be a part of this year's performance! All you need is your ruach (good-spirited energy) and a desire for a good time. Email ori@meaningful.media to participate. The rehearsal schedule will be shared shortly. (Either Thursday evenings or Sunday afternoons.)

But what is a shpiel, you ask? Shpiel is a Yiddish word meaning a “play” or “skit.” It is usually boisterously fun and lampoons either the Purim story characters or people in the community.  Shearith Israel has a rich history of Shpiels, and 2025 will continue on this path.

Register to Attend the Shpiel

mishloach manot + gift bag deliveries

This year, we are once again making special gift bags for each and every CSI member/family to help fulfill the mitzvah of offering one another gifts, Mishloach Manot. And we'll deliver the bags to you! To make this possible, we need a large corps of volunteers willing to bring these items to members' homes around Atlanta. Sign-up below to be a part of this wonderful Purim tradition!

Links to sponsor Mishloach Manot gift bags have been sent to community members via email from Happy Purim.com. If you did not receive and email and wish to sponsor Mishloach Manot, please contact Genea Moore at genea.moore@shearithisrael.com.

I Can Deliver Gift Bags