JewSD: March 2012

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Synagogue in Mainz by Manuel Herz

Nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Prize for European architecture in 2011, the Mainz Synagogue by Manuel Herz represents the bold rebuilding of the Jewish community in Mainz, Germany. A Jewish presence has existed in Mainz for at least a millennium and produced many religious scholars, but over that period the community has been periodically eradicated and refounded.

The new synagogue and community center is the latest communal revival and is built on the site of the former synagogue. Unlike many synagogues designed in the post Holocaust era that try not to draw too much attention to themselves, the Mainz Synagogue offers an urban square in front of the main entrance.

See the project described in greater detail on Manuel Herz Architects' web site here.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Harvard Purim 2012 Event Guide

Purim is Wednesday night March 7th through Thursday March 8th

The Fast of Esther starts Wednesday, March 7th at 4:45am and ends at 6:10pm

Purim with Hillel

52 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge

Megillah Readings*

6pm Wednesday night, Thursday morning at 6am and 8am

Women's Megillah reading* at 7:30am

*Please bring a box of pasta to use as a grogger and to be donated afterwards to Harvard homeless shelter

Purim Seudah -

JLIC/Student Conservative Minyan/Orthodox Student Minyan Meal - Thursday 12:30-2:30 (all are welcome)

Purim-Run: A Purim Celebration with SCM

Join the SCM community for a river-run themed megillah reading and raucous Purim celebration on Wednesday March 7th, at 7pm, Ticknor Lounge. Come dressed as your favorite house mascot.

Worship & Study Minyan Purim Celebration

Join W&S for Megillah Reading, a Hamentoshen Bake Off, and original minyan-produced entertainment. From 7:00pm - 9:00pm in Smith Hall.

Tremont Street Shul

8 Tremont Street, Cambridge

Egalitarian evening service with Megillah reading - Wednesday 6:30pm

Traditional Evening service with Megillah Reading - Wednesday 8:30pm

Minyan Tehila
(all events at Casa Do Benfica, 178 Elm Street, Cambridge)

Purim davening and Megillah - Wednesday 6:25pm

Party and Megillah with Cambridge Minyan - 8:15-9:15

Late Megillah Reading - 9-10pm

Harvard Chabad's ABSOLUT PURIM 2012

The Crimson Bash - THE BEST PARTY OF THE YEAR!

Wednesday 3/7 at the Harvard Crimson

8:30 Megillah Reading / 9PM AWESOME PARTY!

Hot food buffet, unlimited Hora, and incredible spirit.

Bagels, Lox and Megillah Brunch

Thursday, 3/8

12PM - Harvard Law School - WWC B015

12:15PM - Harvard Business School - Aldrich 208

Brought to you by Harvard Chabad, JLSA and the JSA

A Royal Feast

Thursday, 3/8 at Chabad

Last Chance to hear the Megillah at 4:30PM

Full spread festive dinner with lots of Chabad spirit 5PM

RSVP info@chabadharvard.org

Chai Center

Purim Party

Club Rumor, 100 Warrenton St. Boston

Purim party for 20s/30s young adults

Megilla Reading

$15 pre-register, $20 at the door

Purim!

Purim is Judaism's most festive holiday. It commemorates the Jewish people's deliverance from a genocidal plot to destroy them hatched by the evil Haman in the ancient Persian Empire. Like some other Jewish holidays, Purim can be summarized as: "They tried to kill us, they failed, lets eat!"

Purim is celebrated in many ways. We read of the Megilla, a scroll that recounts the story of Purim. It is also traditional to the give gifts of food and drink to our friends and money to the poor. Purim is also celebrated by wearing masks and costumes, and copious amounts of drinking, eating, and partying. A traditional Purim snack is a Hamantashen, a triangular shaped pastry filled with jam.