My 1st Real Purim!

Happy Purim to all!
Tonight Jack & I attended Purim tonight
at the nearby Town and Village Synagogue that sponsors ASL
services. It was a LOT of fun. Its a holiday
that some refer to as the "Jewish Halloween"
because people dress up in costumes for it.

I attended a Purim once in my hometown that
Baba was involved in. Or else it was another show
sponsored by her temple but I couldn't imagine
what? I remember being VERY lost not because
I wasn't welcomed but simply because I am DEAF.
I am so blessed to live in a city where I can
actively participate in a Jewish community that
includes us DeAfies! This temple is conservative
and I consider myself a reform Jew but I could
see myself honoring more customs as time
goes by. I guess that's why im reform. I can
pick and choose which aspect of my Jewish
Identity I want to incorporate into my life.
Having grown up in a town that's straight
out of the bible belt but in an Amish/Menonite
sort of way has made my experience in this
city all the more enjoyable! I wish my Uncle
David could have this experience on a more
regular basis. I will make sure the next time
he, Aunt Nancy and Bobby are headed this
way, we will attend one of my services :]

Anyhoo, the Purim holiday is based on
the Book of Esther. In which she and her
Uncle or is it Cousin Mordecai are the
heroes who save the Jews from extermination.
Its sort of a long story but a good one
if you have the time to read up on it, I
recommend you do. We had noisemakers,
people in costumes, skits, songs, a LOT
of fun. I must learn to schmooze more
at the next few services. I kind of keep
to myself but these people are getting
to know me and me to know them.

After the services we had some pizza, drinks
and cookies, cakes. They also handed out
boxes that contained little goodies (kosher
I'm sure) some in Hebrew all seemed to be
products of Israel. Mostly wafers, candies,
pretzels, nougat, and other fun new things
for me to try.

I also got to see my good friend tonight.
He's on my mind sometimes because his
mother just passed away over the holidays.
They were very close! I know he's still
dealing with it. I will see him again in 2
weeks! I will do something fun with him too!

Interesting to note how some people who
came tonight (1 deafie, and 1 signer) both
who didn't want to comply with the rules
of the synagogue. The deafie was using his
SK and I thought the sign at the entrance said
No Cellphones/Pagers etc permitted ON. But
I think it was Cellphones/Pagers should be on
silent/vibration modes. But I saw him using it
in front of the stage and I informed him he had
to turn it off out of respect of the synagogue.
He didn't want to. Felt that they (the Temple)
couldn't force him to do it and he didn't want
to lose data by turning it off. I was a little
surprised but told him his "secret was safe
with me." And then he added he didn't mean
to offend me. He didn't but I did think it was
offensive to the people of the synagogue.
Then the other guy, a hearie who signs he
asked me if he must wear a yarmulke inside
and I said yes out of respect. And he said "really?"
My answer was "when in Rome.." Its as simple
as that. When you go to other countries, or
communities that practice a certain life
style or customs it makes the experience
more enjoyable when you tried to honor
their cultures and allows you a different
point of view. Not soon after I told him the bit
about Rome, another member who is valued
member of the congregation told him he MUST
wear one. And basically you could tell by how
he signed it it wasn't open for negotiations.
I liked that.