Taanis Esther: Monday, March 9, 2009

• Fast Starts – 6:32 AM
• Shacharis – 6:40 AM (We will put on Tallis & Tefillin after Yishtabach)
• Mincha – 7:00 PM (Machatzis HaShekel is given before Mincha in shul, see Purim Laws for details)

Purim Night: Monday, March 9, 2009

• Maariv followed by Megillas Esther (with the unbelievably talented Eric Schramm who will play Achashverosh, Haman, Mordechai, Esther, and the rest of the gang as he relives the entire Purim story through his very amusing reading) - 8:10 PM
• Fast Ends – 8:10 PM (However, one may not eat until after hearing the Megillah)
• There is a custom to have a seudas mitzvah at night, in addition to the main Purim feast the following day.

Purim Day: Tuesday, March 10, 2009

• Shacharis – 7:15 AM
• Megillas Esther (with Eric Schramm) - 8:00 AM
• Second Reading of Megillas Esther – 3:30 PM
• Mincha – 4:30 PM
• Shul Purim Seudah (Please bring your own bottle of wine) - 6:00 PM
• Members and friends not coming to the shul seudah are invited to come for desert and refreshments, singing and dancing – 7:30 PM
• Maariv – 8:11 PM

Remember the four mitzvos of Purim day:

1. Matanos L’Evyonim: Charity is sent to at least two different needy people (Money may be given to the rabbi for distribution on Purim)
2. Mishloach Manos: Each Jew over the age of bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah must send two different, ready made foods to at least one friend
3. Seudas Purim: Toward evening, a festive meal called Seudas Purim is held, often with wine as the prominent beverage
4. Megillas Esther: Each Jew over the age of bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah must hear Megillas Esther read at night and during the day