Purim at the Circus
Photos: Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Rabbi Mendel Rosenblum starts the Purim celebration with a Megillah Reading, one of four mitzvahs celebrated on the holiday. For younger attendees, an animated Megillah Reading accompanied the Hebrew reading.
Photos: Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Zivah Stahl, 7, eagerly awaits the addition of butterfly stickers to her face painting at Purim at the Circus. Along with circus foods and entertainment, Adah Schall, right, offered face painting to kids of all ages.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Nochum Rosenblum, 3, enjoys a live juggling performance during Chabad of South Hills’s Purim at the Circus last week. Rosenblum attended the festivities with his parents, Mussie and Mendel Rosenblum, and siblings Chaya Esther, Ari, Shneur and Pesya Rosenblum.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Colton Lichtman, 11, assists entertainer Howard Mincone with a crystal ball act during Purim at the Circus. Lichtman, of Upper St. Clair, celebrated Purim at Chabad of South Hills with his parents, Natalie and Brandon Lichtman and his brother, Aiden.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Aviel Selkovits and her son, Moshe, 5, enjoy a performance by juggler Howard Mincone during Chabad of the South Hills’s Purim at the Circus celebration March 7. The Selkovits and others spent the evening indulging in festive foods, exchanging gifts and listening to the traditional Megillah Reading.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Howard Mincone wows the audience with his crystal ball juggling act during Chabad of the South Hills’ Purim at the Circus celebration March 7.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Entertainer Howard Mincone performs his juggling routine with a side of stand-up comedy during Chabad of the South Hills’ Purim at the Circus event March 7.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Chaya Esther Rosenblum, 9, laughs as entertainer Howard Mincone comically struggles to juggle while balancing on a ball. Rosenblum celebrated Purim at the Circus with her siblings and parents, Mussie and Mendel Rosenblum.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Zelig Rosenblum, 3, joins in the Purim at the Circus fun, waving a noisemaker to drown out the name “Haman” during the traditional Megillah Reading. The Megillah was read aloud by Rabbi Mendel Rosenblum.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Eli Kovach enjoys hand-spun cotton candy before sitting down to the traditional Purim feast during Chabad of the South Hills’ Purim at the Circus celebration. Kovach, of Mt. Lebanon, attended the event, which included a juggling performance, face painting and small gift exchange, with his mom, Stacy Kovach.
Men, women and children dressed in favorite costumes stepped right up for a fun, festive evening last Tuesday, when Chabad of the South Hills hosted Purim at the Circus.
“Every year, we try to do something fun. We’ve done Purim in New York City, Purim in Flight. There’s no religious reason. It’s just to add some fun and creativity,” said Batya Rosenblum, who runs Chabad of the South Hills in Mt. Lebanon with her husband, Rabbi Mendel Rosenblum.
The Rosenblums’ son, Rabbi Levi Rosenblum, and his wife, Hindy, spearheaded the annual event, which celebrates the Jewish people’s salvation while under Persian rule.
According to the Book of Esther, or Megillah, read aloud during the Purim celebration, Persian prime minister Haman issued a decree to destroy the Jewish people. As Rabbi Mendel Rosenblum read aloud in Hebrew the Megillah – recounting Esther’s plea that the king issue a second decree allowing her people to defend themselves, Haman’s hanging and the Jews’ ultimate victory – those gathered clapped, hollered and waved noisemakers to drown out Haman’s name.
“The Jews were in a very difficult situation. Haman really hated Jews. He was out to destroy them,” said Batya Rosenblum. “Mordechai called upon Esther. She said, I will go as long as the Jewish people will pray and fast for three days. It was to be a reconnecting to God.”
The lighthearted Purim celebration included a small gift exchange, donations to a Pittsburgh charity and for orphans in Israel, a circus-themed buffet dinner, complete with popcorn and hand-spun cotton candy, and a live performance by local entertainer Howard Mincone.
For upcoming events, or to learn more about Chabad of the South Hills, visit https://www.chabadsh.com/welcome-chabad-south-hills.