Taanis Esther (Fast of Esther): Wednesday, March 23, 2016
- Fast Starts – 6:14 AM
- Fast Ends – 8:19 PM (Under normal circumstances one must wait until after the megillah reading before breaking fast.)
- Shacharis – 6:30 AM
- Mincha – 6:45 PM (Machatzis HaShekel is given before Mincha in shul.)
Purim Night
- Maariv followed by Megillas Esther (with the unbelievably talented Eric Schramm who will play Achashverosh, Haman, Mordechai, Esther, and everyone else as he relives the entire Purim story through his very inspiring reading) – 8:25 PM
Purim Day: Thursday, March 24, 2016
- Shacharis – 6:25 AM
- Megillas Esther (with Eric Schramm) – 7:00 AM
- Mincha – 4:00 PM
- Purim Seudah in shul for those who signed up – 5:30 PM
- Everyone invited to shul after personal Purim seudos, for desert and refreshments, singing and dancing – 7:00 PM
- Maariv – 8:30 PM
Remember the four mitzvos of Purim day:
- Matanos L’Evyonim: Charity is sent to at least two different needy people (Money may be given to the rabbi for distribution on Purim)
- 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
- Seudas Purim: Toward evening, a festive meal called Seudas Purim is held, often with wine as the prominent beverage
- Megillas Esther: Each Jew over the age of bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah must hear Megillas Esther read at night and during the day