The month of March was filled with “musical madness” as we celebrated the holiday of Purim on Thursday evening, March 20th. Rabbi Bloom dressed as “Ra-baby” led the Maariv service while I led the singing of traditional Purim songs accompanied by the CBI Purim Band -“The Claritinas”. Many thanks to the talented and dedicated members of the band – Dick Levine (concertina), Marty Greenwald and Daniel Schussheim (clarinet), Sam Gottuso and Matthew Waters (percussion). Your beautiful and spirited music made the evening so special and “freilach!” All the children dressed in colorful Purim costumes and marched around the sanctuary to the sounds of the singing and the Purim Band for the annual Costume Parade.

Rabbi Bloom summarized each chapter of the Megillah while selected verses from each of the ten chapters were read by Megillah readers – kudos to Daniel Schussheim, Sam Warshauer, David Weissglass, Ilana Olefson, Dr. William Basri and Ross Basri.

Inspired by the tremendous enthusiasm of the children who attend services on Friday nights as well as several sixth grade students, I created and produced a Purim “Schpiel” called “High School Megillah” based on the current “rave” productions - High School Musical I & II and the Songs of Hannah Montana. The Purim “Schpiel” involving children from ages 3-12 was integrated into the Megillah reading. Thank you to Michal Bloom for collaborating with me on compiling the songs to go with each chapter of the Megillah and Jodi Woolley for her assistance with the selection of the songs and Purim adaptations.

To give the students greater responsibility, I appointed three assistant directors of lyrics (Katie Eskwitt, Clara Eskwitt and Tara Shenker) and three assistant directors of choreography (Rebecca Rappel, Jacqueline Gottuso, and Danielle Cooper). All of you were absolutely amazing at teaching lyrics and choreography to the members of the cast. Your dedication, hard work and talents helped make this show a smashing success! Bravo and Brava to the entire cast – the students in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades!

Special thanks go to David Tessenholtz for your incredible technical assistance in transferring all of the songs onto one CD and Erin Tessenholtz for taking charge of the CD player for the actual production.

We had a huge crowd of around 200 people that stayed after the Megillah reading and Purim “Schpiel” to enjoy a delicious dinner of pizza, falafel and ice cream. Thank you to Ilene Gore, Rhea Goldsmith and Allison Newfeld for assistance with publicity and for providing dinner for the cast. I would also like to thank my assistant Pat Mieth as well as communications specialist, Judy Kochis, for their invaluable help with songsheets and publicity. Finally a hearty thank you to Charles, Jay and Donald for all of your help in setting up for rehearsals and the actual Purim evening.

On Friday morning, March 21st, we had Purim services along with a full Megillah reading. I would like to thank the morning Megillah readers: Rob Fire, Jodi Woolley, Abby Cahn, Dr. Yona Shulman, Dr. Harvey Cohen, Bonnie Ross, Gloria Landy, Pat Fire and Anne Zack. I read most of Chapter 2 as well as all of Chapters 3 and 4.

Attention New Megillah Readers: if you are interested in reading the Megillah next Purim - and current readers, if you would like to add on to what you already know - please contact me ASAP and I will give you your portion now so you can start preparing.

I hope everyone had a “Purim Sameach” full of joy, singing and dancing. Yasher Koach to Susan Gonen, Amy Ross and all of the dedicated people who prepared the “Shalach Manot” bags as well as to Eric Menell for a most successful Purim Carnival.

B’Shira

Cantor Barugel

CAST OF “HIGH SCHOOL MEGILLAH” and the “SONGS OF “HANNAH MONTANA”

Beauty Contestants – The Friday Night Shushan

Princesses – Maya Bloom, Madison Gore, Lia Bloom, Sophie Gore, Tara Shenker, Katie Eskwitt, Clara Eskwitt

Haman (Sharpay) – Jacob Tavill, Clara Eskwitt

Achasverosh (Ryan) – Jacob Waters, Jenna Rappel Esther (Gabriella) - Rachel Brudner, Tara Shenker, Alissa Zack

Mordechai (Troy) – Griffin Feinberg

Mexican Mordechais – Josh Keller, Adam Goldsmith, Teddy Buriani

Chamberlains – Stephen Sager, Patrick Tessenholtz, Jacob Wahba

Dancers – Danielle Cooper, Rebecca Rappel, Jenny Greener, Jenna Rappel

Back-up Vocals – Katie Eskwitt

Assistant Directors of Lyrics: Clara Eskwitt, Katie Eskwitt, Tara Shenker

Assistant Directors of Choreography – Jacqueline Gottuso, Rebecca Rappel, Danielle Cooper

Technical Assistance – David Tessenholtz and Erin Tessenholtz