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Purim events calendar: shpiels and carnivals for all

[additional-authors]
February 25, 2015

The Alpert Jewish Community Center will host the Purim Carnival & Big Mitzvah Day.  Join the Long Beach community for rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, prizes, mitzvah projects, kosher food and hamantashen. There will also be a costume contest with prizes. March 8. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach. (562) 426-7601. alpertjcc.org.

The Chabad Jewish Center of Ventura will host various celebrations throughout the holiday, beginning with the reading of the Megillah. Light refreshments and hamantashen will be served. March 4. 7 p.m. Free. A Purim minyan will take place the next morning, followed by a Megillah reading and  bagels and lox buffet. 8 a.m. (minyan), 9 a.m. (Megillah and brunch). Free. A “Purim Paris Banquet” later that evening will show solidarity with the Jewish citizens of France. Come in French-themed costumes and enjoy fabulous French cuisine, a wine tasting and a French fiddler in concert. 5:30 p.m. $36 (adults), $18 (children). Reservations can be made online. Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Road, Ventura. (805) 658-7441. chabadventura.com

IKAR invites you to get down on the dance floor this Purim at its Justice Carnival. With a kid-friendly carnival to begin the celebration and an adult one to close it out, there’s something for everyone. Bring your costumes and dance to DJs Saulomite and Mudfoot; bring your appetite and chow down on sushi and waffles on sticks; and bring a sense of humor and an open heart for some Tinder-esque games in real time. 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. (family-friendly carnivals), 6:45 p.m. (Megillah and shpiel), 8:30 p.m. (adult carnival). $20 (kids carnival) $30 (adult carnival). Westside JCC, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870. ikar-la.org/purim-5775.    

Kehillat Israel will have Purim fun for kids of all ages. There will be a tot carnival in the early childhood center and a carnival for older kids in the courtyard. The Purim Extravaganza March 6 starts at 5 p.m. with circus performers, a DJ, a dunk tank, face painting and carnival games. There will be a free dinner buffet in the chapel at 5:45 p.m. All proceeds benefit the youth No’ar Hadash Scholarship Fund at Kehillat Israel. Wristbands are $15 until March 5, $20 at the door. 16019 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. ourki.org.

Leo Baeck Temple is hosting “Family Feud” Adult Purim March 7 at 7 p.m. Ages 21 and up. $20. RSVP to rsvp@leobaecktemple.org. A Purim shpiel and carnival for all ages will take place the next day, with live music, games, bounce houses, obstacle courses, dunk tanks, rock climbing and a petting zoo (and prizes, of course!). March 8. 11 a.m. For both events, come dressed as a famous family. 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-2861. leobaecktemple.org

LimmudLA hosts Yaffa Epstein from the Pardes Institute as she unmasks the meaning of Purim on March 1, 2-4 p.m., at a private residence in Valley Village. Please RSVP to yochanan@limmudla.org as soon as possible. Address will be given upon RSVP. 

Nashuva will have a Purim Megillah Costume Celebration March 4 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your friends of all ages as Rabbi Naomi Levy and the Nashuva Band lead an abbreviated Megillah reading and Purim Rock Opera with hamantashen and lots of fun. Come in costume and bring a noise maker. Brentwood Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall, 12000 San Vicente Blvd. Then bring Purim to the elders at the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging. There will be performances by some of the Nashuva members, decorating and filling mishloach manot goody bags, and refreshments.  18855 Victory Blvd., Reseda. March 8 at 10 a.m. RSVP to Marla at socialaction@nashuva.com and please bring food donations that do not contain nuts. return@nashuva.com.    

Nessah Synagogue’s L’Dor V’Dor will host a Purim masquerade party at Emerson Theatre on Feb. 26. Doors open at 9 p.m. for a fun evening full of dancing. Renowned DJs and special celebrity guest appearances. Ages 21 and up. 7080 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 273-2400. nessah.org

Pico Shul invites the community to a Purim feast and Megillah reading on March 5, beginning with the Mincha and Megillah reading at 4 p.m. A multicourse feast of epic proportions will feature gourmet food, wine and beer, plus music and more. $25 RSVP before Feb. 27, $35 RSVP after Feb. 27, $36 at the door (space permitting), $100 VIP includes a bottle of champagne. $10 if you arrive after 8 p.m. The Purim Seudah is sponsored in memory of Benayahu Ben Shlomo. There will also be a Ma’ariv and Megillah reading March 4 at 6:15 p.m. 9041 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. picoshul.org.  

Ramah Young Alumni Leaders (from Camp Ramah) and Reshet present Purim 5775 at The Belmont Feb. 28 at 9 p.m. Open bar until 11 p.m. $35 standard admission tickets available at the door. Ages 21 and up. Costumes encouraged, revelry required! 747 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets: alumni.reshetramah.org/ryal-purim-5775.

Shomrei Torah Synagogue will debut an all-new Purim Family Fun Festival, March 8, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m, designed just for young families. The festival is open to all and will include games, bounce houses, food, a climbing wall, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and much more. Buy advance tickets and save money. 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 854-7650. shomreitorahsynagogue.org.

Sinai Temple is celebrating Planet Purim on March 4, 3:30-7:30 p.m. There will be arts and crafts, a photo booth, a petting zoo, carnival and arcade games, jousting, a moon bounce, rides for kids under 5 years of age and live entertainment. $20 pre-sale for an all-inclusive game wristband before March 3, $25 at the door. $10 kosher barbecue meal. Megillah readings will be held March 4 at 7:30 p.m. and March 5 at 7:30 a.m. 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3237. sinaitemple.org.

Stephen Wise Temple is having rides, games, food, a raffle and more for all ages at on March 1 — and the go-carts are back! Pre-sale admission for children 3-18 is $40 and includes unlimited rides and games. Admission at the carnival is $50. Adults admitted  free. Prior to the carnival, there will be a “Family Purim” service at 10 a.m. in the Plotkin Chapel with Ditza and Rabbi Yoshi for a Purim shpiel before the costume parade. 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 889-2247. srosenthal@wisela.org. Purim After Dark will take place March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Sassafras Saloon, 1233 Vine St., Los Angeles. Happy hour drinks and live music. Space is limited. RSVP to jsmith@wisela.org

Temple Ahavat Shalom will have a Purim shpiel (featuring the TAS High Players in “Hairshpiel”) March 4 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s “Fun and Games” Purim carnival will be March 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  There will be a preschool-only area, a DJ, mahjong, poker and food trucks. Free. Wristbands and tickets will be sold for non-food-truck food, amusements and games.  Food truck purchases are made directly at the food trucks. 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 360-2258. tasnorthridge.org.

Temple Aliyah will offer carnival entertainment, from thrill rides to water games, along with kosher food favorites provided by the Temple Aliyah Men’s Club, as part of its Purim carnival, March 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets for food and rides sold separately. 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545. templealiyah.org/purim-carnival.

Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills will present “Mickey’gillah” March 4, 6-9 p.m. in the Corwin Family Sanctuary. There will be an opportunity to win two Disneyland tickets while enjoying the hilarious rendering of the Megillah. The temple will host a family-friendly “Purim Around the World” carnival March 8, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Visit tebh.org to purchase tickets in advance; additional tickets will be available at the carnival for $1 per ticket. 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737. tebh.org.

Temple Israel of Hollywood will have its family Purim shpiel and Megillah reading March 1 at 10:15 a.m., followed by a Purim carnival at 11 a.m. Purim: An Adult Evening will take place March 5, 6:30-10 p.m.  Uncover the secrets of this holiday with the synagogue’s clergy and congregant David Aaronson as emcee. Persian dinner to follow. Free with RSVP before March 2 at tioh.org, $25 at the door. 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 876-8330. tioh.org.

Temple Kol Tikvah’s Purim extravaganza, March 6. will feature all sorts of circus festivities — including balloon animals, of course. Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy a complimentary dinner. Free. Must RSVP by March 2.  Kids’ service 5:15 p.m., dinner and circus 5:45 p.m. 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670 ext. 200. koltikvah.org.

Temple Judea invites you to a Purim service and shpiel, “How I Met Queen Esther,” March 4 at 6:15 p.m. It will include singing, dancing, Megillah reading, a costume parade and more. Purim carnival will take place March 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with carnival rides and kosher barbecue. Admission is free, ride/game tickets are $1 each. Wristbands are available, and tickets can be purchased online in advance. All proceeds go toward school and camp scholarships. 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (818) 757-3800. templejudea.com/purim.

TLV Productions and Steve Gold present Purim Carnival 2015: The ninth annual costume party in celebration of Purim at the Emerson Theatre in Hollywood. Leading Jewish DJs from Southern California are collaborating to deliver an extraordinary event, including fun giveaways. Bottle service is highly suggested. Ages 21 and up. March 5. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. For reservations, call (323) 309-3711 or (818) 568-7514. 7080 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. eventbrite.com/e/purim-carnival-2015-emerson-nightclub-tickets-15791353363.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s annual celebration March 8 will be filled with magic, music, food, games, attractions and plenty of surprises for children of all ages. Purim festivities will begin at 10 a.m. in the chapel, starting with the religious school Purim shpiel and a kids’ costume parade (with prizes). The carnival will begin at 11 a.m. Pre-sale wristbands are $48 if purchased before March 1 and include $5 in tickets. Irmas Campus, 11661 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 388-2401. wbtla.org

Young Israel of Century City’s youth department presents “Musical and Magical Purim Celebration” March 4 at 6:15 p.m. During the first Megillah reading, there will be music and dance for children ages 2-5 and a magic show for children ages 6-12. Come dressed up and ready for a great time, ice cream and gift bags for all. 9317 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 273-6954. yicc.org.

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