Purim Awakens with a successful shpiel at Beth Shalom

Mordi Ben Kanobi wants the entire Jewish community to know that “Purim Awakens” held at Edmonton Beth Shalom Synagogue on March 23 was truly an amazing celebration.

“Once again Beth Shalom served as a unifying force for the entire Jewish community wanting to celebrate Purim in our urban/downtown location!” said Kanobi aka Rabbi Kliel Rose. The event was also supported by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, Camp BB, Temple Beth Ora and Our Parents Home.

“As of Wednesday morning we had 70-75 folks registered,” explained Rabbi Rose, whose costume matched the event’s Star Wars theme. “But by the time the event started there were over 200 people in attendance, the first time in 20 years that our Purim event drew such a large crowd.”

“This event would not have been such a huge success without the tremendous support from our Purim Shebang coordinator Shira Spring,” noted Rabbi Rose.

He also gave a special thanks to David M. Mannes, Chloe Soibelman, Kyle Huberman, Steven Katz, Jerrod Henoch, Faren Hochman, Ari Sniderman, Karen Cogan, Phyllis Salzburg, Sydney Cogan-Grahn, Judith Boyle, Mitchell L. Weinberg, Howard Davidow, Jeff Rubin, Gaylene Soifer, Karen Goldstein, Jared Paull, Howie Sniderman, Moreh Ben Ragosin and the Talmud Torah Choir members and so many other fabulous volunteers.

This year for the first time those in attendance had the pleasure of taking Purim pictures with a high tech photo booth brought to the event by the great folks – Judith & Dave – from TapSnap Photo Booth Rentals. To access your pictures please use this link, https://tapsnap1176.smugmug.com/Purim-Awakens/n-kHfJ52/

The Rabbi also thanked the shul’s staff – Helena & Robert Cummings – for their support as well as to Bozena and Vera for a very delicious meal.

“For the 2nd year we utilized a great interactive multimedia Megillah reading with an additional option of a Purim Bingo for the kids,” added Rabbi Rose. “Our Megillah readers were meshuganeh magnificent,, thanks to the “Dr. Katz twins” – Jerry & Steven (not related) and of course the Purim Shpiel was dynamite and the actors were divine…”

“Baby I was born to Shpiel!!!” concluded Rabbi Rose.

Enjoy our photo gallery – photos by Edmonton Jewish News’ Dan Moser.