OUR THANKS TO JAY CORAL FOR A VERY ENLIGHTENING TALK

AND FOR A LOVELY BRUNCH

 

In the 1400's in Europe, Ashkenazi Jews celebrated Purim with silly monologues. These monologues were generally rhymed paraphrases of the Book of Esther, parodies of holy texts or funny sermons which aimed to entertain audiences. Shpiel is a Yiddish word meaning "play, skit", and these monologues became known as Purim Shpiels.

By the beginning of the 1500's it became customary for Purim Shpiels to take place during the festive Purim meal in private homes. Yeshiva students were often recruited as actors, and they would wear masks and costumes.

Over time, Purim Shpiels evolved into more rigid traditions and even competitions:

  • Amateur and professional entertainers were recruited for the Purim Shpiels. Groups of touring players known as "Shpielers" would perform in fancy dress in people's homes.
  • A single narrator introduced, conducted, and concluded the Shpiel.
  • Conventional prologues developed with an outline of the contents of the performance, an introduction of the actors, and included appeals for contributions.
  • Purim Shpiels sometimes included contests between cantors.

            While early Purim Shpiels were brief and performed by a few performers in private homes, 18th century Purim Shpiels evolved into longer dramas with musical accompaniment and large casts. These Shpiels were performed in public places for a fixed admission price.

            Today Purim Shpiels are still performed in many communities and synagogues. Some are brief, rhyming, humorous monologues. Some are puppet shows performed for small children. And some are elaborate parodies of Broadway plays, with scenery, costumes, singing and dancing.

            Whatever their format, Purim Shpiels today maintain a Jewish tradition begun hundreds of years ago and, due to their fun nature, are likely to help this Jewish holiday tradition persevere in the future.

  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Temple Sholom's  

wonderful cast in Megillah Mia! 

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK! 

Cantor Hesh 

 

One of the most endearing aspects of Judaism, in my opinion, is the evolution of Jewish traditions over time. Purim Shpiels started out as family, holiday entertainment, turned into professional performances, and have become outreach tools for synagogues and communities.


SHABBAT SHALOM ELECTRONIC
EDITION
November 9/11'- November
20/11'       12 Cheshvan- 23 Cheshvan 5772
Vayeira
Avraham, Our Father: An Imagined Midrash-Soliloquy
           
 A day like all other days, here in this godforsaken desert! Or should I
not say that, myself being the chosen one of the Invisible God, Maker of heaven
and earth-or so He says, so He tells me. Imagine-commanding me, an old man, to
perform that-that-covenantal-cutting on myself, and with a flint knife! How it
stings and stings and-wait, Hagar-let me have some more of that watered-down
wine mixed with spices-just a little, and a little more, to take away the pain;
ah [he drinks deeply]-so. Let me lie back, now, against these camel-hair
cushions, here in the cool darkness of the tent-[calls to Sarah, who is knitting
in the tent-corner] O' Sarah, I am not as young as I was, when I first beheld
the plains of Charan, and thought that, perhaps, at seventy-five, I could live a
shepherd's life; and then, the Mysterious One appeared; first, in my dreams, and
then, those voices, voices, day and night, which would not go away, which would
not leave me-[sighs] thank you, Hagar; you may go; I will lie back and close my
eyes and rest awhile, during this hottest part of the day [yawns; beginning to
doze, as old men will, he hums] for 'God is my refuge and my fortress; my God in
whom I trust; I do not fear the arrow that flies by day, or the destruction that
wastes at noonday; the Lord is my dwelling-place, no scourge will come near my
tent'...
           
 What's that? Three strangers, coming over the hill? Thank you, Ishmael-I
must welcome them-Oof! Help me to my feet-I must hurry-why hurry, d'you say,
Boy?-why, it's a mitzvah, a holy deed, and one in which the Most High takes
great pleasure, and so, therefore, so do I-help me to go now, then, and
quickly!-
           
 (Strange, now, that I suddenly possess the strength to run towards these
men, and myself almost a dotard; and, as I run, the pain from-there, down below,
seems to be healed-is a mitzvah then, the cure, O' Most High?)
           
 Good day to you all, good Sirs! Come to my tent, if you please-(they do
not appear to be cutpurses, or robbers; just wanderers, like myself) I am
Avraham by name; my wife is Sarah; then, there are Hagar, my serving-girl, and
her boy, Ishmael-rest you, then, under the shade of this palm tree, and I will
bring you water, in which to bathe your feet, and goats' milk to drink, and,
and-food-where are my manners? Food!-Sarah! Hurry! Knead dough, and bake
matzot!
           
 So, so-rest easy, gentlemen. What news of the world can you bring? How
are Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, my old warrior comrades from the Wars of the Kings?
And Melchizedek, the High Priest of Shalem, who blessed me, a few years back-how
fares he? What news? Oh-you have news for me, for Avraham, the old nomad? Of
what? A BABY? A baby to be born to us? O Sir, please do not jest with me-it has
been years and years, and Sarah and I (though I love her like my life, never
doubt it, and I know you for but this short time, I am happy to share this with
you; there is something in your face so pure and holy, that makes me able to
trust you)-that is, we had given up hope, though we never stopped yearning-what
is that noise within the tent? Sarah! Oh, you dropped a pan-never mind, my
dear-
           
 What else? You have news from the Most High? You are not idolaters, like
everyone else, all other people whom I meet in this open and lawless land? The
Most High will destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? But my nephew Lot, that
scamp, lives there! I must have words with the Most High, later, later-but wait,
let us eat first-here are milk, and curds, and cheese-the boy will bring the
roasted lamb when it is ready-but please, do not mock an old man-you say that we
will have a baby? [Begins to cry] How, how marvelous! O' God, I thank You, I
thank You!
 
Shabbat
Shalom,
Rabbi
David H Mark
 
Temple Sholom's Sisterhood
& Men's Club
Are pleased to present our very
own...
Jay Coral as guest speaker
Sunday November 13th at 9:45 AM in
the Beit MidrashTopic:The Brandeis University Story, The Jewish Answer
to Ivy League Quotas  
Jay
Coral, a Latin and French Teacher at Mountaindale High School, is a graduate of
Barnard College/Columbia, an Ivy league school.  She is a Fellow of Brandeis
University, and for many years was a representative to the United Nations for
Women's League for Conservative Judaism. 
As an added
bonus, Jay will be sponsoring breakfast
As always, you do not have to be a
member of Sisterhood or Men's Club to attend Everyone is invited.  Feel free to
bring a friend

When School Is Out
Children Take A Break From Homework.... And Eating Lunch

This month school bells across Florida ring for the final
time. It's the sound of freedom to some, but not for those who rely on the free
or reduced-price lunch they receive at school. Without this vital nutrition
assistance, the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society wake up
every day not knowing where their next meal will come from. Summer is especially
tough. Without school lunches, children get less to eat, and food pantries do
not always have enough to make up the difference.

 

                With your support, we can help provide the critical
sustenance they need,         when school meals take a summer vacation.

              PLEASE let us not forget to help FEED THE HUNGRY!

              We will be collecting nonperishable food items
at Temple Sholom. 

            Please drop off your bundles in our bins upon
entering the temple.

B'ahavat Olam, Cantor Hesh