Laughter, costumes and hamantaschen! This year, the spirit of Purim was alive throughout Greater Philadelphia, bringing over 1,300 people across the region together for this joyous celebration. 

“As always, it was the sights and sounds that warmed my heart: a little girl screaming in excitement about a bounce house, a group of rabbis doing improvised, light-hearted sermons, and so much more,” said the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Director of Community Development Max Moline. “Now, more than ever, it is important to showcase the beauty and joy of our Jewish traditions and Purim has, once again, given us the chance to do so.”

The Jewish Federation’s Kehillot (neighborhood groups) and NextGen (young adult group) hosted and partnered on events throughout the Greater Philadelphia area to celebrate the Jewish holiday.

Photo Credit: Kaiserman JCC

The Jewish Federation’s Lower Merion Kehillah enjoyed carnival games, face painting and hamantaschen making on March 9 at the Kaiserman JCC. 

Photo Credit: The Chevra 

The Jewish Federation’s NextGen Group brought in Purim at the Chevra on March 13 with live music, casino-themed games and prizes.

The Jewish Federation’s Lower Merion Kehillah featured a once-in-a-lifetime event on March 15 at Main Line Reform Temple. Families gathered to see clergy from congregations across Lower Merion perform in a variety show to raise money for Kibbutz Alumim. This event was part of the Jewish Federation’s Adopt a Community initiative to support Sdot Negev’s rebuilding efforts since Oct. 7 and the ongoing war in Israel.

The Jewish Federation’s Old York Road Kehillah wore their best costumes on March 16 at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, enjoying hamantaschen, prizes and inflatables.

The Jewish Federation’s Center City Kehillah celebrated Purim at the Philadelphia Zoo on March 16 with costumes, music and crafts. 

The Jewish Federation’s Buxmont Kehillah commemorated Purim with a mitzvah on March 16, making mishloach manot (goodie bags) for the residents of the Horsham Center for Jewish Life.

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Kehillah programming is part of the Jewish Federation’s neighborhood initiative to foster a vibrant Jewish community throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Learn more by visiting jewishphilly.org/kehillah or email community@jewishphilly.org.

NextGen is an affinity group of the Jewish Federation for leaders and philanthropists in their 20s, 30s and early 40s, who are looking to give back while building community. To learn more about NextGen, visit jewishphilly.org/nextgen or email nextgen@jewishphilly.org.