Purim Shpiel
Purim, the loudest of all Jewish Holidays, commemorates the saving of the Jews of Persia, by Queen Esther. It has been the tradition in synagogues to celebrate this holiday with a fun filled religious service that includes the reading of the Book of Esther, or the Megillah, that tells the story of how Esther, a Jewish queen in ancient Persia risked her life to safe all the Jews in the land.
It has been a tradition here at Congregation Kol Haverim, for over a dozen years, to follow the Megillah reading with a humorous musical version of the story, called Purim Shpiels. (Shpiel is the Yiddish word for Play). Members of our congregation have participated in these humorous Purim Shpiels.
Our Shpiels have been written by one of our congregants, Fred Mann, from 2003 through 2018. Together with Tami Cherdack Sherman, our Cantorial Soloist, Fred has directed members of our congregation, mostly young members, in these annual productions. For information about the 14 original Purim Shpiels written by Fred Mann, visit https://gotshpiel.wordpress.com/.
For additional information about Congregation Kol Haverim and its music programs, contact our Musical Director Tami Sherman.
The Shpiels that we have produced are:
- 2019 - "HamiltonShpiel".
- 2018 - The Book of Esther According to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
- 2017 - The Book of Esther According to Taylor Swift
- 2016 - The Book of Esther According to the Eagles
- 2015 - The Book of Esther - Pop Punk
- 2014 - The Book of Esther according to Classic Disney Theme Songs
- 2013 - The Book of Esther according to the Beach Boys
- 2012 - 10th Year Retrospective
- 2011 - The Book of Esther according to Elvis Presley
- 2010 - The Book of Esther according to ABBA
- 2009 - The Book of Esther according to The Beatles
- 2008 - The Book of Esther according to Billy Joel
- 2007 - “Haman’s Plan” an original Purim Shpiel with Music by Arnie Davidson and book and lyrics by Fred Mann.
- 2006 - The Book of Esther according to Classic British Rock and Roll
- 2005 - The Book of Esther according to Classic TV Theme Songs
- 2004 - The Book of Esther according to Paul Simon
- 2003 - The Book of Esther according to Elton John
The Book of Esther according to the Eagles - 2016
