Good morning,

Our biggest event since the Hurricane that so profoundly impacted our entire community was a wonderful success last Sunday. Despite what so many in our congregation and neighborhoods have been through, our Family Fun Bowling Day was a great respite from all we’re dealing with.

It was a lovely sight, seeing long-term members playing (and schmoozing) together. In fact, a few people remarked how it was the first time in a long time that they had been bowling and were more focused on catching up than how well they played.

And then all of the kids and their parents playing together, some using the bumpers, some using ball guides and having a blast. Two families even put their kids together on one lane while the adults played together on the other (though it didn’t seem to help them score higher heh heh).

All in all, it was a wonderful event and thanks to the Men’s Club for organizing it. If you want to see some photos, please check out our Bowling Slideshow on our website.

Now that we are entering February, it is time to start thinking about hamantashen, groggers, and costumes. Yes, Purim is our next holiday and our next big event! Please mark your calendars for our Purim Ball on February 23, sponsored by Sisterhood. Purim is certainly one of the more fun holidays in the Jewish year and we hope you’ll come have some fun with us.

How many times a year do you get to come to synagogue dressed up in costume and scream and yell when we say Haman? To say Purim is an experience is a little like saying the Sun (when we see it again someday) is a little hot.

For more information, please check out this flyer we have on the website or view a slideshow from last year’s Purim Ball and let us know if you want to attend. You can also contact Wendy Pusateri sisterhood@oceansidejewishcenter.org or Judy Kagan 678-4860 for more information. We’d love to see you there!

In the coming weeks, we’ll give you reminders about attending as well as ways you can celebrate Purim with your own family as well. For instance, if you have any Hamantashen recipes you are particularly proud of, please reply to this email and send it to us and we’ll share them with our congregation.We hope you are all doing well and please have a wonderful and restful Shabbat.