On an almost-Spring evening, on the full moon, the power of the rather joyous festival of masks and fancy dress is upon us – Purim! Fun and laughter will ring out at JW3 as it celebrates Purim with a cacophony of events for everyone. Never one to shy away from a celebration JW3 is starting their Purim programme of events from Wednesday 5 March through to Sunday 16 March culminating in a traditional fancy-dress Party!

image010.jpgIf you fancy an Evening of Wine Tasting supping on the best kosher wines from around the world with Tal Sunderland-Cohen (6 March); if you want to know the history of carnivals around the world, then Dr Robert Messik will be sharing his Carnival Cravings (5 March); if you want to celebrate Everyday Jewishness: A Seriously Playful Evening with all its quirks, music and fun with Keith Kahn-Harris and friends (11 March); if you are 20s-30s then Purim with Young JW3 A Night in Agrabah is for you, with dinner on magic carpets and a screening of Disney’s Aladdin (12 March); and not forgetting Party on Purim for families with a disco, games and definitely fancy dress (16 March) – JW3 is the place to be!

image011.jpgTuesday, 11 March, sees author Keith Kahn-Harris and friends celebrating the quirky, mundanity, and mediocrity of the Jewish people in an evening of silliness. Why do Jews drink the worst sweet kiddush wine every Sabbath? Why synagogue is all about the Supper Quiz Night? Partake in mixology with a Palwin cocktail and join in Karaoke Adon Alom in the style of xxx (Keith = heavy metal)! Plus, a Purim gift for all joining Celebrating Everyday Jewishness: A Seriously Playful Evening, a free copy of Keith’s new book Everyday Jews lifting the lid on Jewish people’s extraordinary public visibility today with Israel and antisemitism constantly in the news – but very much reminding us that Jewish life can also be trivial and parochial!

Purim celebrates the story of the bravery of Queen Esther, a Jewess married to the King of Persia, whose evil advisor wanted rid of her and her people. Purim enjoys a carnival vibe, as Rabbi Eliezer Melamed says “dressing up in costumes is something that has always broken down the barriers between people”. Friendship and fun can turn enemies into friends – and Purim is full of days of feasting and gladness, sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

JW3‘s weekly food bank and kitchen continues to support the needs of people in Camden and Purim is the right festival to salute the volunteers that run it every week. JW3 give out hot meals as well as food parcels to Camden residents, no matter their religion. The food is donated, prepared by volunteers, several of whom are refugees, and annually delivers over 120,000 meals worth of food to the community. JW3 is the dynamic, cross-communal hub, open to all – the home of Jewish Arts and Culture in London NW3