Kendal Purim, 2026
If you know Purim, you know joy. In the celebration, the Book of Esther (the Megillah) is read aloud, with great shouting, noise-maker rattling, and foot stomping with each mention of the villain’s name: Haman, the evil prime minister to the king of Persia. Haman plotted to wipe out the Jews of Persia in a single day. But with the courage of Queen Esther and the wisdom of her adopted father Mordecai, Haman was thwarted and done away with. Costumes are customary for children and adults alike. Donations of both food and money in the broader community is customary—and, of course, hamantaschen: traditional triangular-shaped, filled pastries or cookies made with a cookie dough and filled with poppy seeds, fruit jam, or chocolate. They’re designed to resemble Haman’s three-cornered hat.
And, of course, there’s a Kendal Purim celebration!
Naomi Gross, reading the Megillah
Bright costumes are traditional
Hope Springs Eternal
Photo by Carolyn Reiss
The First Sunset of Daylight Savings 2026
Photo by Philip Monteleoni