Sydney’s Emanuel Synagogue introduced wine-making as part of its Purim party parade.
The Inaugural Emanuel Synagogue Kiddush Wine Making Competition tested the palate and the stomach of judge Steve Denenburg, president of the Union of Progressive Judaism. Congregants and staff brewed their Kiddush wine concoctions for months leading up to the tasting and put plenty of time and creativity into each name and label.
The Megillah reading was a riot of noise and got the crowd warmed up for the return of Emanuel’s famous Purim Spiel. This year’s spiel “A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to Purim” was a rollicking roman romp which had the audience singing along and tapping their feet.
Celebrations continued with a children’s carnival on Sunday. The courtyard of Emanuel Synagogue was filled with stalls, crafts, games, face painting and tons of fun. Families and children were invited along for the children’s costume parade and were delighted with a retelling of the Purim story as had never before been heard; Haman was booed, Esther and Mordechai were cheered along and children of all ages got into the spirit of Purim. And of course – there were hamentashen for all to enjoy!
