Local synagogues host festive events to celebrate the holiday of Esther.

P hotos by Mar k Zac ks

C

ongregation Beth Shalom's
annual children's Purim spiel
featured the world premiere
of Out of Order by Joe Lewis. The play
described the true historic events of
1862 when Gen. Ulysses S. Grant issued
an order expelling the Jews from all the
territory under his army's control. The
order was rescinded soon afterwards by
President Abraham Lincoln.
An audience of several hundred
enjoyed the play on March 16, followed
by a festive meal that fulfilled the mitz-
vah of emptying the Oak Park syna-
gogue's freezers before Passover.

❑

In an overture before the play, women do a demonstration of

A musical interlude was performed by Annie Citrin,

"Jewsercize:" Bobbie Lewis, Sheyna Wexelberg-Clouser and Ronna

Rachel Gaft, Lily Citrin and Arieh Gamer, all of

Perlman, all of Oak Park, Jan Wanetick of Southfield and Barbara

Huntington Woods.

Sugarman and Marcy Citrin, both of Huntington Woods.

Oz Gamer of Huntington Woods and

Young actors (including two babies)

In a fictional departure from history,

Rose Mouradian of Southfield played

portray Jewish families expelled from

pirates attack the passengers on the

Charlie Bowen.

Joe Lewis of Oak Park wrote and

the spirits of Gen. Grant and "Mrs. Gen.

Paducah, Ky., who sailed away on the

directed Out of Order.

Grant."

steamer Charlie Bowen.

a

At Keter Torah, the men dance to celebrate Purim.

Kadima Ben-Ezra gives out gifts to the children at the party.

Rabbi Sasson Natan of Keter Torah

Lisa Keller of Farmington Hills with

Jacob David of Farmington Hills

Kadima Ben-Ezra dances with Nora

Synagogue in West Bloomfield addresses

her 4-year-old daughter, Olivia

dances with his mother, Mary, of

Natan, both of West Bloomfield.

congregants on Purim.

West Bloomfield.

March 27 • 201

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