With Purim just around the corner, the Jewish Light compiled a list of upcoming holiday festivities around town. For more Purim events, visit the Community Calendar at www.jewishinstlouis.org.

Saturday, March 7:

Temple Israel

Temple Israel will host a city-wide youth group Purim party for area Jewish 6-12 graders from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the Isserman Auditorium. The night will include a DJ, dancing, carnival games, moon bounce, prizes and food. The cost is $10. TI is located at the corner of Laude and Spoede roads in Creve Coeur. For more information and to receive the required permission slip, contact Debbie Schultz at 314-432-8050 or Jennifer Patchin at 314-983-9416 or email at [email protected].

Neve Shalom

The next Jacob’s Pillow, the coffeehouse of sacred music and story, will take place at 8 p.m. with a Mystic Purim Concert. The event, led by Rabbi James Stone Goodman and his conventicle of intentional musicians, looks at the inspirational and mystical side of Purim told in music, poetry and sacred story.

Jacob’s Pillow is a function of Congregation Neve Shalom in the Rainbow Village, 1240 Dautel, a mile west of Lindbergh Boulevard off Olive Boulevard. A modest donation will be accepted at the door. For more information, call Neve Shalom at 314-863-4366.

Sunday, March 8

B’nai El and B’nai Torah

Celebrate Purim at B’nai El and B’nai Torah’s annual Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 8. The carnival includes face painting, games, a clown making balloon animals and much more. Participants can enjoy a plate lunch which includes hamantaschen and enter to win a chance at “Throw a Pie at the Rabbi.” The carnival begins at noon and is preceded by the telling of the Purim story at 11 a.m. The event takes place at B’nai El, located at 11411 North Outer Forty Drive in Frontenac.

Shaare Zedek

Shaare Zedek’s annual Purim Carnival will take place from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8. The event offers prizes, food and fun for the entire family. A silent auction and raffle will be held. The synagogue is located at 829 North Hanley in University City. Call 314-727-1747 for more information.

Shaare Emeth

The two-day celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8 with a grand carnival featuring games, food, and prizes. Tickets can be bought individually; a bracelet for $15 allows unlimited fun. Children in costume have a chance to win a free bicycle.

The fun continues at 7 p.m. Monday, March 9 with Purim shpiel; “Megillah Mia,” the dancing queen; a Megillah reading and a desert reception hosted by Queen Esther and her royal court. Come dressed in 70’s clothes–the best costume wins a prize. Betsy Cytron will lead the Purim band made up of 6th to 8th graders.

Entry to all activities is free and open to the community. For more information, call Ronnie Brockman or Stacy Jespersen at 314-569-0010. Congregation Shaare Emeth is located at the corners of Ladue and Ballas roads in Creve Coeur.

Monday, March 9:

Chabad of Chesterfield

A Purim bash will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 9 at Chabad of Chesterfield, 1639 Clarkson Road. The celebration will include a Purim reading, entertainment and a buffet dinner. Admission is $13 for adults; $8 for children 12 and under in advance, or $15 for adults; $10 for children at the door ($60 for families of 6 or more). Everyone attending in costume wins a prize. For further information and reservations, call 636-778-4000 or email [email protected] .

Bais Abraham

Bais Abraham will celebrate Purim with a communal Megillah reading at 7:30 p.m. Monday March 9, followed by hamentashen and refreshments. At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, the congregation will hold its annual Purim Seudah, festive Purim meal with food, wine, dancing and music. Everyone is welcome.

For more information and to make reservations for the Purim Seudah, call 314-721-3030 or go to [email protected]. Bais Abraham is located at 6910 Delmar Boulevard in University City.

Tuesday, March 10

Annual U City Parade

All residents of the “kingdom ” are invited to hail Mordechai the Jew as he rides through the streets on the king’s steed, led by Haman the Aggagite. More than 200 people will be attending the 7th annual grand procession beginning at 2 p.m. on Purim day, Tuesday, March 10 at the corners of Cornell and Gay avenues in University City. Live music will cap the parade.

The parade will feature local personalities in full costume and make-up as Mordechai and Haman. The public is invited to watch as the procession goes by, then join in. The event is organized by two anonymous members of the community and is not sponsored by any particular organization. It draws participants from all parts of the community in celebration and unity.

Crown Center

Crown Center for Senior Living will celebrate Purim with residents from Covenant House at an old fashioned “mixer” with entertainment, graggers, and light refreshments, starting at 6:15 p.m. The event is open to the community. Crown Center is located at 8350 Delcrest Drive in University City.

Chabad

‘Purim in the Jungle’ will be the theme for Chabad of Greater St. Louis’ annual Purim-around-the world celebration at the Jewish Community Center Auditorium, 2 Millstone Campus Drive.

The festivities begin with a Megillah reading at 4:45 p.m. and continue with a Purim bash at 5:30. The event is open to the community.

A four-course “safari” dinner will be topped off with dessert and hamantaschen. The event will include a drum circle, dancing, African hair braiding, jungle-themed entertainment, crafts and a tropical smoothie bar.

Partygoers are encouraged to come in costume. Admission is $12 for adults in costume, $24 for adults not in costume and $8 for children. Space is limited, and advance reservations are appreciated. Register online at www.ShowMeChabad.com/PurimBash or by calling Chabad at 314-725-0400.

Young Israel

Shushan Purim Party, featuring live music, finger food and Purim shpiel by local stand-up comedians, will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. at Young Israel of St. Louis. The event is open to the entire Jewish community. Call 314-727-1880, or email [email protected]. The Young Israel is located at 8101 Delmar Boulevard in University City.

Saturday, March 14:

Brith Sholom Knesseth Israel

From ancient Persia to modern-day China, Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel’s (BSKI) Purim Ball: From Shushan to Shanghai draws on both cities and cultures to create a memorable evening, including a performance by the world renowned Chinese Acrobats. The ball, which is open to members and non-members, will begin at 8 p.m. in BSKI’s Rubenstein Auditorium at 1107 E. Linden in Richmond Heights.

The ball boasts a costume contest and live music by Jeremiah Allen and his five-piece band. The RSVP deadline is Friday, March 6, with general admission tickets at $50; patron tickets at $118 and sponsor tickets at $250. A special admission of $36 is available for adults under age 30 or over 65.

Contact Harvey Leader at (314) 725-6230 or [email protected].