Purim

Purim Schedule

Ta'anit Esther with Hadar: Reading the Megillah After October 7
Thursday, March 21, 9:30am-2:20pm on Zoom

Olam Tikvah is proud to co-sponsor this free, virtual learning opportunity with Hadar. Purim parades itself as the most joyful day of the year, however, Megillat Esther is a story of intense crisis and violence. At the beginning, Jews face an existential threat, and at the end, Jews kill their enemies on a massive scale. In the wake of October 7th, these crises of Purim feel very real, as we mourn unimaginably cruel acts of violence against Israelis, encounter increased antisemitism and fear in Jewish communities worldwide, and confront the sobering fact of so many Palestinians killed in recent months. Learn more and register here.

Yachad Purim Pre-Game
Saturday, March 23, 7:15pm

Start the magic early with Yachad! Young Professionals are invited in magic-themed costume to pre-game the evening in the Olam Tikvah Social Hall before the party gets started upstairs. Register here.

Megillah & Magical Purim
Saturday, March 23, 8:00pm

Abracadabra! Purim is as easy as pulling a rabbit from a hat at Olam Tikvah’s Magical Purim! Presto change-o into your magical costume to hear the Megillah, get a photo at the photo booth, and head to the youth corner for crafts or try an adult concoction made by our potion-masters. For teens in 8th-12th grade, there's an added opportunity to help out in our craft area--to sign up, click here.

Megillah & Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 24
8:30am Megillah Reading
10:00am-12:00pm Purim Carnival

Hear the megillah again on Sunday morning in the sanctuary from 8:30-10:00am!
At 10:00am, all OT families are invited to celebrate with OTRS at our annual Purim Carnival. Come in your pajamas for a continental breakfast and games run by our OTUSY teens. If you're an 8th-12th grader interested in helping run the carnival, email Rafi Glazer.
Kadima (grades 5-7) will compete in the Shushan House Cup wizarding tournament.

Matanot L'Evyonim

The mitzvah of Matanot L'Evyonim (gifts to the poor) is one of four central mitzvot on Purim. At our Magical Purim on Saturday night, we will collect tzedakah to give to these important causes:

Food For Others distributes food to our neighbors in need. Food for Others is an important part of Northern Virginia’s safety net for those needing food when an emergency strikes and for the growing number of working poor who need to supplement their inadequate food supplies. Learn more about Food For Others.

Israel Trauma Coalition is the cornerstone in the national treatment of trauma and emergency preparedness in Israel and around the world.. Learn more about Israel Trauma Coalition.

Leket Israel, the National Food Bank, is the leading food rescue organization in Israel. Unique among all other organizations that serve the poor in Israel and food banks worldwide, Leket Israel’s sole focus is rescuing healthy, surplus food and delivering it to those in need through partner nonprofit organizations. Learn more about Leket Israel.

Yad b'Yad (Hand in Hand) Schools build partnership and equality between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel through a growing network of integrated Jewish-Arab schools and communities throughout the country. Learn more about Yad b'Yad.

Donate here