On Saturday night, March 16, at 7:30 p.m., Temple Israel of Ridgewood will present “Politics Shmolitics,” a Purim Shpiel mash-up of the Book of Esther and a presidential election. Temple Israel member Andy Lieb is directing the Shpiel, which showcases talented Shul members.
The Purim Shpiel will integrate texts, theater, music, dance, songs, mimes, and costumes, in a comic dramatization of the Book of Esther, the central text and narrative that describes what transpired on Purim and why it is celebrated as an important Jewish holiday.
The presentation will be followed by a dessert reception including
hamantaschen. All in the community are invited. Donations are welcome at the door. For more information, go to synagogue.org.
The Purim Shpiel is a form of folk theater that originated a thousand or more years ago in European synagogues. Many consider the Purim Shpiel to be the origin of Yiddish theatre.