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Health & Fitness

Celebrate Purim Family Style with CHJ on Sunday March 16

Families from around Fairfield County are invited to celebrate Purim this year with the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (CHJ).  The annual party is scheduled on Sunday, March 16, from 11:00-2:00 at Bedford Middle School, 88 North Ave., Westport.

There will be music, a play reading by Sunday School students acting out the story of Purim and of course fun carnival-style games and craft activities. Come hungry because there will be a pizza lunch and a nut-free Hamantaschen bake-off contest. Hamantaschen are triangle-shaped cookies or pastries that are traditionally eaten during Purim. To enter the contest bring 1-2 dozen baked Hamantaschen, nut-free, to enter. Prizes will be awarded.

In keeping with Purim tradition, everyone will hear the story of Purim. The party is BYOG, so be sure to also bring your own grogger (noisemaker)! Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. Esther is the heroine of the story who saves the Jews. When the story of Purim is told, listeners drown out the name of evil Haman with noisemakers.

This family-focused event is a great way for Jewish or interfaith families who are interested in the Congregation to learn more about the group. Non-members interested in attending the Purim party and learning more about CHJ should RSVP to (203) 293-8867 or email sundayschool@humanisticjews.org. Contributions of $10/family are requested for the pizza.

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The Purim party is one of many CHJ holiday celebrations. The Sunday School will present a model Passover Seder on April 6, and CHJ will hold its community Seder on the second night of Passover, Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

In addition to family-oriented events, the Congregation has a full calendar of activities for adults including Jewish holiday celebrations, Sunday morning Adult Education, Shabbat dinners, a wide array of Friday and Saturday evening programs, discussion groups, and a book group. 

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The CHJ Sunday School provides a contemporary Jewish education for children in kindergarten through Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Children learn about Jewish holidays, history, literature, and traditions of the Jewish people in a warm, participatory environment. The curriculum is enriched by Hebrew, music, art, dance, and crafts. Jewish and Humanistic values and their relation to interpersonal, social and environmental issues are explored in all areas of the curriculum. Small class size fosters involvement and learning. A supervised preschool playgroup is open to younger siblings 0-5 years of age. Sunday School registration is ongoing.

To learn more about the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism and its programs, log on to www.humanisticjews.org

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