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Some exciting holidays are coming soon: Purim on Adar 14 (Thursday, March 8), and Passover on Nisan 14 (Friday, April 6). 

From the colorful holiday of Purim, when Queen Esther and Mordechai exemplified personal strength and bravery that saved our people in Persia, to Passover, when an entire Israelite nation moved from slavery to freedom under the leadership of the Moses -- we celebrate our persistence as a people, our miraculous partnership with G-d, and the delight of sharing heritage and happiness with family. 

Warmest good wishes to you all for health and joy in the coming days.

B'Shalom,

Rabbi Leslie and Eleanor

Be Happy, It's Adar

A Teaching Moment from Rabbi Leslie Alexander

Happiness can be defined in a lot of ways. Sometimes, both adults and children have mistaken what happiness is meant to be. Sometimes, happiness has been represented by what "goodies" we can acquire, sometimes we mistake the quest for personal pleasure as happiness, sometimes we think that being free of responsibility would be the quintessential definition of happiness.

While there is nothing wrong with the above concepts in moderation, the holiday of Purim and the month of Adar contribute a different idea of happiness.

Esther and Mordecai, who fought back against the prejudice and the evil of Haman and his followers, saved their people and reestablished peace and stability in their society. From that came great celebrating and immeasurable happiness.

The happiness of the month of Adar emerges from personal strength and dignity, is created by the care and concern of people for their neighbors, and is solidified through positive action and dedication to something greater than just the fulfillment of desire.

The lesson of "Be Happy, Its Adar" is a wonderful lesson to teach our children. Now is the time that we can begin to convey the feeling of pure joy that comes when we do something nice for someone else, when we appreciate the things we have, when we take the time to really smell sweet smells and taste yummy food, and see the beauty all around us.

So, this Purim, create some real happiness for your children, yourself, your extended family and community. Bake Hamantashen together and savor them, go to hear a Megillah reading and appreciate the joy of being in the midst of community celebrating with noise and music, deliver several Shelach Manot (goodie) baskets filled with those hamentashen, fruits, hand made cards and good wishes to friends. (For ideas on how to celebrate Purim and for explanations of the holiday see the resource links in this E news.)

Teach the lesson of appreciation this Adar. It's fun, it's real, it's meaningful and it makes for happiness.

For a wonderful essay on happiness, read Dennis Prager's
column called "Happiness is a Moral Obligation."

Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Life and Learning
Los Gatos - (408) 357-7492

• Mesibah! Family Fun Day: Purim Monday, March 5th | 3:00pm-5:00pm. Mesibah is the Hebrew word for party! Children ages 2-10 years old and their parents or caregivers are invited to join us for a FREE party to celebrate the Jewish holiday Purim! There will be a bounce house, arts and crafts, hamentashen to nosh, and story time with PJ Library. Don't forget to come in costume! For more information, contact the APJCC Center for Jewish Life and Learning at 408.357.7411 or cjll@svjcc.org.
• Dinner and a Movie: The Prince of Egypt - Sunday, March 25th | 4:00pm-7:00pm Enjoy good food while being entertained by the animated classic The Prince of Egypt. JCC members: $5 per person. Non-members: $7 per person, includes dinner. For more information, contact Lisa at 408.357.7492 or lisacg@svjcc.org.

Congregation Beth David
Saratoga - (408) 257-3333

• CBD Shabbat Mishpaha (Family Services) March 02, 2012 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Welcome the Shabbat Bride with song, story and dance. Join us every first Friday night for an energetic, family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat experience with something for everyone!
• Purim Carnival Sunday, March 4, 2012, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Fun for the whole family! Come in costume!  Wear crazy clothes and wild hair! Purim Sing-Along with Angela (11:00 - 11:30 a.m.), Carnival Games and Prizes (11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.), Arts and Crafts.Silent Auction. Queen Esther's Kitchen: Delicious homemade Cabbage Rolls, Knishes, Hot Dogs, Hamantaschen and other yummy treats will be available for purchase.
• Pre-Megillah Pizza Dinner Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 6:15 - 6:45 p.m. RSVP Required! $7 (ages 8- Adult) $3 (ages 3 -7)
• Family Megillah Reading (Sanctuary) Wednesday March 7, 2012 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM. This includes our Kitah Zayin Purimspeil and an abridged version of the Megillah reading.
• Purim Services and Megillah Thursday, March 8, 2012, 8:30 a.m. A full reading of the Megillah, with a few surprises.
• CBD Tot Shabbat March 10, 24, 2012 from 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM. For kids ages 0-5. Join us for a fun and interactive parent-led service for babies, toddlers, and preschool kids. Open to the whole community. Tot Shabbat includes singing, storytelling, and a Kiddush snack!
• CBD Haverim Services March 17, 2012 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Haverim means "friends" in Hebrew, and Haverim services is all about getting K-3rd grade friends together to celebrate Shabbat. We celebrate with lively songs, movement, stories, and values discussion which parallel the order of the 'real' service. We finish off with a treat-filled Kiddush. Parents always welcome to join in.
• CBD PJ Shabbat March 23, 2012 from 6:00 PM. This mini Kabbalat Shabbat service is geared towards tots (ages 0-5) and will feature songs, puppets, felt, story time, plus a kid-friendly Shabbat dinner. Kids in PJ's! Cost: $10.00 per adult; $ 2.00 per child (over 3); kids under 3 eat free! RSVPs are requested! Please respond by the Wednesday before each event to the CBD office at 408-257-3333.

Congregation Shir Hadash
Los Gatos - (408) 358-1751

• No Shush Shabbat Service March 02, 2012 from 6:30 PM. Please join Rabbis Aron and Levenberg, and song leader Angela Gold for our special child-friendly service.
• Purim Carnival March 04, 2012 from 11:30 AM Games, bounce house, Super Slide, face painting, temporary tattoos, balloon animals, and more! Come in costume and win prizes! Purchase a $15 wristband for unlimited playtime ($5 for preschoolers). 11:30 am - Noon: Early entry for Preschoolers. Noon - 2:00 pm: Open to all. Everyone is welcome! There will also be a "Mary Poppins Purim Shpiel presented by 3rd through 6th grade students.
• Tot Shabbat March 10, 2012 from 10:30 AM. Join Rabbi Levenberg and other families with young children for Tot Shabbat. * Songs and simple prayers
• * Story time * Special jobs for every child * Hands-on music * Cuddly Torahs * Fun * Friends * Oneg Snack. Tot Shabbat is free and is open to the community - tell your friends!

Congregation Sinai
San José - (408) 264-8542

• Ima and Me Playgroup from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM every Wednesday morning from 9:00-10:15 am in the Nursery School Red Room. Children three and under. Open to the entire Jewish community. FREE. Info: Miki Gurantz at director@sinainurseryschool.org.
• Congregation Sinai Torah For Tots, March 3, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. in the Social Hall. Designed specifically to accommodate young children age 0-5. We meet once a month from 11 am to 12 pm. For more information, email torahfortots@sinai-sj.org.
• Congregation Sinai Family Service for K-2nd Graders, March 10, 2012 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Designed to introduce kids and their parents to the Shabbat service and the siddur. Hebrew knowledge not required.
• Congregation Sinai Purim Carnival Extravaganza, Sunday, March 4, 2012, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Purim Puppet Show for kids followed by a grand costume parade for kids and adults at 11 am. Followed by Purim Carnival at 11:30 AM. Game tickets, as well as a delicious Kosher Persian Barbecue and hot dogs will be available for purchase. No RSVP required. Come in costume.
• Congregation Sinai Purim Megillah Reading, Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 6 PM.   Featuring live music performances, and a complete Megillah reading. No cover charge. Music, groggers, and hamentashen provided. All are welcome.
• Tough Questions Kids Ask: "Are the stories in the Torah real?" Just for Parents Workshop led by Rabbi Josh Berkenwald. Sunday, March 11, 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Congregation Sinai. FREE. Open to everyone.
• Engaging Children in Your Passover Seder. Led by Rabbi Josh Berkenwald. Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 PM at Congregation Sinai. With a little bit of planning, you can spark childrens' curiosity, draw them into your seder, and create lifelong memories for participants of all ages. For grown-ups only. Free. Open to everyone.

Temple Emanu-El
San José - (408) 292-0939

• Purim Carnival and Spiel March 04, 2012 from 11:30 AM. Join the fun as we celebrate Purim with tons of family friendly activities including a costume parade, bounce house, live music from the Brotherhood band, and a silent auction!
• Tot Shabbat and Potluck March 16, 2012 from 6:00 PM. Join us for a warm and friendly service geared toward children between the ages of 2 and 6. Sing, pray, and listen to kid-friendly stories! Potluck Dinner immediately following at 6:30PM. If you would like more information, or if you would like to sign up for our monthly Tot Shabbat email reminder, call the administrative office (408)292-0939 or send an email to admin@templesanjose.