Spirituality

PURIM FUN ABOUNDS.

Lions Tigers Haman Oh My!

Purim takes on a jungle theme, complete
with animals and drums.

Shelli Liebman Dorfman

Contributing Writer

S

urrounded by the sights and sounds
of a tropical forest, hundreds of guests
celebrated at "Purim in the Jungle" on
March 20, hosted by the Sara and Morris Tugman
Bais Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield and
Young Israel of Southfield.
"They were welcomed into the hall [at Dovid
Ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh in Oak Park] by plas-
tic, inflatable animals hanging on vines from the
ceiling, zebra prints across the tables and animal
masks at everyone's seat:' said Zeesy Silberberg,
who heads Bais Chabad's youth department and
Jewish Women's Circle.
The costumed group — many in jungle-
themed attire — began the evening by hearing
Megillat Esther read by Rabbi Shneur Silberberg,
the synagogue's outreach director. Bais Chabad
Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg explained that Queen
Esther's saving of the Jews was indeed to her
credit, but on a deeper level it was because she ini-
tiated repentance amongst the Jewish people.
The children who attended the event had their
hair braided African-style, enjoyed a live jungle
animal show, complete with a chinchilla, tree frog,
lizard and birds, and took a shot at the animal ring
toss game. The very brave among them allowed a
5-foot snake to coil around their necks. "But they
came out of there in one piece, in time for a magic
show by Bais Chabad's Magic Club members led by
Ethan Gross [of West Bloomfield] who had been
rehearsing their tricks for months:' Zeesy said.
An African-themed buffet dinner, complete
with tropical fruit smoothie stations got the group
energized for the evening's highlight, a drum circle
led by Lori Fithian of Drummunity in Ann Arbor.
"Giant drums, tambourines and other instru-
ments were passed around, and the large group
of over 250 people created a magnificent beat,"
Zeesy said. "The delight on the children's faces
was incredible. The noise from the 200 drums was
deafening, powerful and beautiful."
Added Kenny Bonin of West Bloomfield, "Every
single child and adult present fell into the rhythm.
The drumming engendered a really awesome
unity in the hall."

Purim In
West Bloomfield

Left:
Rabbi Norman Roman leads a rip-roarin`
Old West "Yee-Haw" Purim at Temple Kol
Ami. Students performed songs and a
"Purim Idol" skit.

Right:
Dressed as a cat, Jennifer Siporin of
Southfield reads from Megillat Esther at
Congregation B'nai Moshe.

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Laya Kleinman of West Bloomfield encourages the kids to beat the drum
during the drum circle.

Seth Gross, 11, of West Bloomfield holds
a boa constrictor during an animal show
and tell.

Zeesy Silberberq and her husband Rabbi Shneur Silberberg of West
Bloomfield help themselves to some chicken during the party.

Shalom Shomer of West Bloomfield
gets into the jungle theme in his gorilla
costume while parading around with his
son, Meir, 3.