LIVINGSTON MANOR - In the outside world, there is snow and cold, traffic snarls, and exhausting shoveling. Yet as Congregation Agudas Achim continues to worship together online via Zoom, we look forward to being warm and safe in our own homes, gratefully welcoming the lengthening days and watching the skies for the return of our local species of birds.

This Friday, February 12, 2021 we will be doing a model reading of the Purim story, The Story of Esther (in Hebrew, the Megillah), and rehearsing the music of Purim.

Purim is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the rescue of the Jewish people from archvillains named King Ahasuerus and his henchman, Haman, who were planning to destroy the Jewish people. Their plan was foiled by the courageous actions of Queen Esther, the Queen of Persia, and Mordecai, her cousin and adopted father (she had been orphaned).

The holiday is typically celebrated with recounting the events that saved the Jewish people of that era and by praying, feasting and drinking wine, exchanging gifts, and donating to charities. The holiday begins at sunset on Thursday, February 25 and ends at sunset on Friday, February 26.

We are gathering via Zoom on Friday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. for casual social time and then proceed on to Purim/Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Fred Pomerantz will generously guide us into our early celebration of Purim and Shabbat and be accompanied by Ira and Julia Levin's uplifting songs and music.

Please contact our president, Judy Siegel at 845-798-0783 or email to virtualshabbat@gmail.com to obtain the Zoom links. (Also: look for information about services on March 12 at social time 7:00 p.m./services 7:30)