Synagogues plan special activities for Purim
• Beth Tikvah Congregation will celebrate Purim from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. The Megillah service starts at 5 p.m., followed by the Purim Carnival with games, prizes, food, face painting and more. Beth Tikvah is located at 300 Hillcrest Blvd. in Hoffman Estates. (847) 885-4545, to beth-tikvah.org
• Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove, invites the community to join in the 2010 Purim Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 27. Everyone is asked to come in costume. The evening includes: 6:15 p.m.: Havdallah and Pizzathon (adults, $10; youth 12 and under, $5; family, $25); 7:15 p.m.: Family abbreviated Megillah Reading (Book of Esther); 8 p.m.: Ma'ariv and Traditional Megillah Reading. Groggers will be handed out to resonate throughout the evening. Hamentaschen will be served to sweeten life. As a Mitzvah project, participants are asked to bring boxes of dry pasta, rice or vitamins to be used as groggers, which will then be donated to a local food shelter. For information, call (847) 634-0777.
• Olive Tree Congregation's annual Purim Carnival and Celebration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, with the worship service, immediately followed by the carnival. Join us for oneg in the King Ahasuerus Banquet Hall at 203 E. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. Visit the Queen Esther Hamantaschen Bakery for good eats. The Courtyard will offer games, prizes and tons of fun.
• Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook presents "Purim Live!" featuring Eli Marcus of the Marcus Brothers Band Saturday, Feb. 27, 755 Huehl Road, Northbrook. Refreshments by Mizrahi Grill. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. with Megillah, followed by the concert and celebration at 8:15 p.m. Suggested donation is $5. For details, visit ChabadNorthbrook.com or call (847) 564-8770.
• Congregation Beth Am, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, invites the community to celebrate the festive holiday of Purim with a carnival from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. Includes food, events, and games for all ages such as face painting, moonwalk, giant inflatables, balloon animals and prizes. Purchase a "Queen Esther Fast Pass" and enjoy unlimited games and activities. This year's Purim Spiel, "Esther Enchanted," starts at 2:30 p.m. Written by Wheeling's Frank Levin and Buffalo Grove's David Weinberg, "Esther Enchanted" is a musical re-enactment of the Story of Esther sung to Disney melodies. Members and guests are invited to dress in costume. For more information, call Diane Yomtov at (847) 459-1677.
• Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook presents a Grand Purim Family Carnival and show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, 755 Huehl Road. The event will feature ventriloquist Chuck Fields, carnival, prizes for every child in costume, Megillah reading and hot dog lunch. Admission is $7, with a Web special of $5. ChabadNorthbrook.com.
• The Youth Department of Congregation Beth Judea will hold its annual Purim Carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, in the synagogue's Social Hall. There will be games such as basketball, Moonwalk, a giant slide, Hamman Toss, Bozo Buckets, balloon animals, Tic Tac Toe, Wii Sports and more. There will be prizes and lunch available for purchase. The carnival will include a Tot Corner. Game tickets are 25 cents each; games range from 2-5 tickets. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. For detail, call Youth Director Aaron Polonsky at (847) 634-0777, ext. 114.
• Celebrate Purim on Sunday, Feb. 28, at Temple Jeremiah, 937 Happ Road, Northfield to the theme of "Fiddler on the Roof." The fun begins with the temple's seventh annual Shushan Shuffle 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Cost is $18 per participant with proceeds benefiting SHALVA, an agency dedicated to preventing domestic abuse. Advance registration is required. At 11 a.m., a talented troupe of Temple Jeremiah staff and board members will present their own rendition of the Purim story, complete with greggers (noisemakers) and a retelling of the Megillah (an account of the events of Purim). At 11:30 a.m., join Tevye, Golde, Motel, Yente and a cast of other colorful characters from "Fiddler on the Roof" for an afternoon of fun including karaoke, moonwalk, carnival games, lunch and treats. Be sure to wear your favorite costume. Proceeds benefit the temple's Youth Department. For more information and to sign up for the Shushan Shuffle, contact the temple office at (847) 441-5760 or office@templejeremiah.org or log on to templejeremiah.org.