It's almost time for the jolly festival of Purim, and Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., is inviting families to come celebrate.
What is Purim? From what I've read, a very simplified version is that it commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from being killed by the prime minister Haman.
While Haman sought to annihilate and kill the Jews, the Jews, through prayer, turned the tables and killed their enemies and Haman. The day after, the Jews celebrated.
This all happened in the 4th century.
At 10:30 a.m. March 5 in this, the 21st century, Purim will be celebrated with a "Holiday Happenings" event for preschoolers. The youngsters will learn the fun of Purim through crafts and fun activities. To RSVP for the free event, contact Elizabeth Kleckner at Ekleckner@fairmounttemple.org.
Next up is a "Purim Celebration for Young Families," from 5:30-7 p.m. March 8. Families with young children, up to second grade, can take part in a free, fun party that will include a light dinner and crafts. Attendees should come in a costume. Again, contact Kleckner to RSVP.
Coming next is the mysterious sounding "Purim After Dark," from 5-7:30 p.m. March 11. What this actually is is an event for young adults, older adults, singles and couples. There will be a special program, trivia and an opportunity to learn more about Purim -- more than I told you above. Cost is $5.
RSVP by March 8 by calling Cathy Kaus at 216-447-9539, or emailing her at Ckaus@fairmounttemple.org.
Then, to conclude the temple's events, there will be a PurimSpiel from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 12. This year's PurimSpeil theme is "Purim: A Jewish Musical," which blends music from "Hamilton," "Grease," "Hairspray" and more to tell the Purim story.
Lastly, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. March 12, will be the "Purim Carnival," featuring games, balloon animals, a bungee jump, Jungle Terry, food, prizes, and more.
Join in and have fun.
Scott Spero, of Beachwood, competing during the cycling phase of the Mandel JCC Indoor Triathlon Feb. 12.Mandel JCCTriathletes: There wasn't an open spot when Beachwood's Mandel Jewish Community Center held its 10th Annual Indoor Triathlon Feb. 12. Yes, there were that many people looking to swim, cycle and run on a Sunday morning/afternoon.
In all, 130 people participated in the event, which also included a biathlon. The big winners, those who finished first in the triathlon, were Adam Rosen, of Cleveland, and top woman Susan Bohinski.
We also want to make special note of a local man, longtime JCC member and Beachwood resident Scott Spero, who finished in third place among men. Spero was the top finisher among those entered from the Sun Press coverage area.
Congratulations to Spero and all those who completed the triathlon and biathlon.
Art on exhibit: The Jewish Federation of Cleveland, located in Beachwood, will present "Perspectives in Opposition: Horizons & Quartets," an exhibit featuring the world of famed Israeli painter Arie Azene, beginning Feb. 26.
All are invited to meet the artist at an open house from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Roe Green Gallery in the Jewish Federation's Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building, 25701 Science Park Drive. Artist talks will be held at 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Azene was born in Germany in 1934 and grew up in the Tel-Aviv neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. He has gone on to have many one-man shows in Israel, the U.S., and other locales since 1960.
Registration is not required, and walk-ins are welcome. For more information about the exhibit, or the Cleveland Israel Arts Connection, visit jewishcleveland.org.
Dan Angelino and Chair of the Laurel Board of Trustees Beth Embrescia photographed at the Laurel Gator Bash on Feb. 11.Laurel SchoolGator Bash: Laurel School, of Shaker Heights, held its 11th Annual Gator Bash fundraising event Feb. 11 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, and it was a smash success.
Five-hundred people who care a lot about the girls high school at One Lyman Circle attended. In all, the event brought in $215,000, with $107,000 of that amount raised during the Call to the Heart paddle raise. That $107,000 will go towards the creation of the Laurel School Innovation Fund.
The fund will align with the school's new, five-year Strategic Roadmap and provide some of the necessary resources for fun, innovative education taking place throughout Laurel School.
From the governor: Gov. John Kasich sent out a release Feb. 16 stating that Beachwood's June Taylor has been designated to serve as Ohio Casino Control Commission chairperson. Taylor was appointed to the commission in 2011, and was reappointed in 2015.
Taylor will succeed Commissioner Jo Ann Davidson, who has reached her six-year term limit as chair. Davidson will continue to serve on the commission.
Calling all young writers: If you're a youngster who likes telling stories and imagines your written words coming alive on a stage, then by all means make sure you enter your work in the Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival at Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights.
The festival is open to all first through twelfth graders in Cuyahoga County, whether they are home schooled, or attend a public, private or charter school. Plays entered must be completely original and the student's own work. Plays can be in any category, be it comedy, fantasy, mystery, drama, or something else that doesn't fit any of these categories.
Deadline for entries is March 1, so you better get crackin'.
Now in its 39th season, the festival, the first of its kind in the U.S., aims to celebrate youthful creativity, stretch students' imaginations, and help youngsters find their own voices.
Here's the really exciting part -- some of the wining entries will be staged during the annual festival, to be held June 2-4 at Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Road. All of the winners will be honored at a special opening night benefit June 3.
All entries must be typewritten and can be submitted either typewritten form, or via email.
Complete information about the contest and the festival is available at dobama.org. To request more information and an entry form, email youngplawrights@dobama.org, or call 216-932-3396, or 216-932-6838.
How's your conscience?: My conscience is fine, I think, but how about the public conscious? The spring exhibit is about to open at Heights Arts in Cleveland Heights -- it sure is nice that spring is around the corner -- and it deals with "Public Conscience through Graphics and Illustration."
Today's illustrators, influenced by graffiti and new technologies in animation and gaming, are creating stories about world issues, popular culture, and even trends in daily life. In this exhibit, you'll see artists take issues out of context and re-examining them in previously unconsidered perspectives, challenging viewers to assess their own part in the whole.
Local artists contributing works include Laura and Gary Dumm, Derek Hess, Brian Jasinski, Nancy Schwartz-Katz, Milan Kecman, Jake Kelly, George Kocar, Joe Lanzilotta, Angela Oster, Josh Usmani, Justin Michael Will, Sean Higgins and Nicholas Rezabek. The exhibit was curated by artists Leslye Arian and Dave King.
The exhibit's opening will be held from 6-9 p.m. March 3 in the Heights Arts main gallery. Heights Arts can be found at 2175 Lee Road.
Advancing: We told you recently about the Hathaway Brown School debate team's efforts to become global champions. Well, the team has now advanced to the "Sweet 16" round.
So get out those bracket sheets and start making your picks.
Will it be ENREACH, from Beijing that is crowned? Or, North Allegheny High School from Wexford, Pa.? Or, perhaps the next world champ will be Taipei American School from Taiwan.
If the Shaker Heights girls advance to the Elite 8 (the announcement comes March 23), they will get an all-expenses-paid trip May 6 to New York City to compete in the 2016-17 International Public Policy Forum. Good luck HB.
State of the city: Just a reminder that Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken will deliver his state-of-the-city address at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building, 3450 Lee Road. The talk is sponsored by the Shaker Heights League of Women Voters.
The mayor will update residents on Van Aken developments, the city's accomplishments over the past year, and what is upcoming.
Green eggs, ham and opera: From 7-9 p.m. March 3, the Lee Road Library branch, 2345 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, will present a performance of the "Green Eggs and Ham Opera."
As a happy birthday to the late Dr. Seuss, you can celebrate his legacy through an interactive performance that will include beautiful singing, zany acting and crazy props. Soprano Lara Troyer and her friends will perform the one-act opera "Green Eggs and Ham" by composer Robert Kapilow.
Registration is now under way for this family-friendly event. To register, visit events.heightslibrary.org.
If you would like to see an item appear in Press Run, send me an email, at least 12 days in advance of an event, at jeff.piorkowski@att.net.
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