In February’s newsletter, the Rabbis explained why Purim gives a uniquely Jewish opportunity to dispel bigotry and prejudice with laughter. Today, I’m making a case for you to celebrate Purim for a less lofty reason: You’re missing out on a good time! There are already “secular” religious holidays that Americans celebrate simply because they are fun, like Saint Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s Day. This is my petition to add Purim to that short list of fun holidays and I think all of America, Jewish or otherwise, should get on board.

First, there’s fun for the kiddos. They get to dress up as if it were Halloween – another celebration secular America has adopted with roots in an ancient religion. They get to have a fun carnival full of games, stories, and treats. We bake festive cookies together and give gifts to our friends. This is all core-memory material that parents should capitalize on to create a fun, Jewish atmosphere at home. Instead of parents having to compete with a highly commercialized Christmas (cue the Holiday Armadillo), we’re lucky enough to have this Jewish holiday in a quiet time of the year when Purim can really shine. Certainly, we strive to teach kids about the Story of Esther and the meaning of Purim, but we also embrace the whimsy of the holiday to appeal to a youthful heart. Why not spread the cheer and invite their little friends over for a costume party and backyard games?

My second argument is that Purim is definitely fun for adults, and I think this is the most underappreciated part of the holiday. Just like adult Halloween has taken off since I was a kid, adult Purim is in its prime. Purim is bawdry, vulgar, and silly. Revelers are encouraged to drink until they can’t tell Haman, the villain, from Mordechai, the good guy. It’s full of dirty jokes and carb-leaden treats. This part of Purim is only for an adult audience, so if you’re not putting on your Batman costume and diving in, I guarantee it’s not happening at the Purim carnival. We need to give grown-up Purim a boost as a guilt-free excuse to go out and have a good time with our friends, and I think secular America should embrace this over-the-top holiday too. I want bars to host Purim happy hour and businesses to pitch Queen Esther merch. Take my money, because this is the winter pick-me-up that I want.

So now that you’re convinced to put on a wig and join the party, here are our Purim offerings this year, flyers for which can be found below in this newsletter. Thursday, March 21, will be a 21+ Purim Party at Nautilus Reno in Midtown. Saturday, March 23, will be the Erev Purim Service and Megillah Reading at Temple Emanu-El. The next morning, Sunday, March 24, is the Community Purim Carnival for the littles, also at Temple Emanu-El. Lastly, on the evening of Sunday, March 24, will be our Very Barbie Purim Spiel at Temple Sinai. This is a PG-13 Purim Spiel. You can bring your kids, but be prepared for some awkward conversations on the way home as you explain the jokes!

As a Temple president, I spend a lot of time thinking of ways to build community and bring people together. I definitely hear from our members that they want more opportunities to come together apart from religious observance. Purim is such a gift in this way because it’s a Jewish holiday that emphasizes the party over the ritual, or rather the party is the ritual. Purim should not be the Jews’ best-kept secret and I urge you all to share the joy of Purim with your family, friends, and coworkers. As a religion that’s better known for rules like “don’t eat shrimp” and “cut off the tip of your penis,” don’t we have a duty to share how fun we can be? (I stole that joke from Rabbi Zober! Don’t come at me!) Eat the food, drink the booze, put on a costume, and bring Purim to the people!

Be excellent to each other, and PARTY ON, DUDES!

-Tova McGilvray (and Bill & Ted 😉)