Jewish Community Celebrates Purim at Chabad’s “Purim in the Circus!”

Rabbi Pesach Burston, “ringmaster” of Chabad of Orange County with Gil & Phyllis Goetz, of Monroe, during Chabad’s “Purim in the Circus” party

GOSHEN, NY [CHI] — “Ladies and gentleman, step right up for the greatest Purim fun on earth!” announced “ringmaster” Rabbi Pesach Burston to the crowd of over three hundred who had come to celebrate “Purim at the Circus” with Chabad. People of all ages from throughout the county enjoyed a spectacular party, in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim, which was on March 10 at the American Legion Hall in Monroe.

“Pride in being Jewish is one of the messages of the two-day holiday,” says Chana Burston, who co-directs Chabad of Orange County with her husband, Rabbi Pesach. She is dressed in colorful circus attire – a brightly colored boa and feathers in her hair. “It’s also the joy of deliverance from annihilation in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot to eliminate the Jewish people more than 2,300 years ago. At Chabad we really party for Purim – and this year we are doing it circus style!”

Drapes of bright colors and metallic flags hung across the ceiling of the hall, creating a festive circus tent atmosphere. Tables were adorned with colorful tablecloths, sparkly top hats and balloons. Circus props including giant sunglasses, hula-hoops and stuffed circus animals decorated the buffet tables.

As guests entered the vibrant hall, they were greeted with live circus music and a live circus monkey. Children and adults rode on life-size elephant and tiger rides.

“I’m having fun helping children create their own juggling balls out of tennis balls and balloons,” said Amanda Heller, age 12, of Chester, who volunteered at the arts and crafts booth. “There’s face-painting by the clown – and lots more,” said Amanda, who commented that this party was the greatest Purim party experience she had ever had.

All enjoyed a hot circus-style dinner and elaborate salad bar, as well as popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and hot pretzels.

The crowd listened to the traditional reading of Megillat Esther – the Book of Esther, which recounts the story of Purim. Rabbi Pesach jumped on bubble wrap with the children to make noise and drown out the name of the evil villain, Haman.

As the evening continued, everyone enjoyed watching the “Jewish” circus monkey perform various “mitzvah” tricks, including putting “tzedakah’ (charity) in a charity can and drinking grape-juice out of a “kiddush” cup. Another circus act featured an incredible “fire-twirling” show.

Purim this year held special significance for Rabbi Burston and his wife, Chana, as their son, Yossi, turned three and had his hair cut for the first time. The ceremony, called the “Upsherenish” (“inaugural hair-cutting”) marks the transition for a child from “baby” to “boyhood” at age three, symbolizing the start of his formal education. His hair is cut and his peyot (biblically mandated side-locks) are left intact. He begins to wear the kippah and tzitzis (fringed four-cornered garment). “Ringmaster” Rabbi Pesach humorously began the ceremony saying he will be “performing a magic trick: Transforming a baby into a boy.” Chana Burston added that Yossi’s second name, Mordecai, was inspired by Yossi’s Purim birthday, as Mordecai is a famous character of the historical Purim story who aided Queen Esther in saving the Jewish nation. Yossi, dressed as a clown, recited several Biblical verses and licked honey from a chart with the Hebrew alpha-bet symbolizing that the Torah letters are “sweet.” He then handed out coins for charity as many people participate in the ceremony by taking a snip of his hair.

Ringmaster Rabbi Pesach then asked all in costume to “Step right up for the Purim masquerade!” All who came in costume introduced themselves to the crowd and received circus themed prizes.

Finally, many participated in lively dancing and singing and enjoyed a Purim dessert table.

“It was a fantastic party – everyone had an amazing experience at this awesome event”, said Phyllis Goetz of Monroe, who was dressed in circus attire.

“Not only did the community celebrate together, the community helped put it together!” Rabbi Burston said in appreciation of the staff, volunteers and sponsors who shared their “talent, expertise and resources with love and dedication” to help make the event such a successful community party.

For more info on Chabad programs, call 782-2770, write rabbi@ChabadOrange.com or log onto www.ChabadOrange.com.

Yossi Burston, 3, reading aloud the Hebrew Aleph-Bet from a chart, with the help of his older brother, Duvy, 6, while his parents, Rabbi Pesach & Chana Burston proudly look on, during a special inaugural hair cutting ceremony held during Chabad’s “Purim in the Circus” party


Rabbi Pesach Burston rides a circus elephant during Chabad’s “Purim in the Circus” party


Partial view of the crowd who enjoyed the “Purim in the Circus” party

7 Comments