Chabad S. Pedro
Welcome to the Purim Minisite
This is your complete guide to celebrating Purim 2026 with Chabad S. Pedro — the story, the meaning, the four mitzvot, the food, and our big event.
Whether you are celebrating Purim for the first time or the fiftieth, we are so glad you are here. Scroll down, learn something new, and come join the party.
Suggested donation: $15 per person • Fun for all ages • All are welcome
The Evening — March 3, 2026
An Unforgettable Night
Ancient Jewish tradition meets the warmth and color of Mexico. Join us for Purim exactly as it was meant to be celebrated.
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Animated Megillah Reading
A lively, fully animated reading of the Scroll of Esther — fulfilling Purim’s central mitzvah, brought to life for the whole family with a fun video. |
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Mexican Cuisine & Live Mariachi
Enjoy the traditional Purim Seudah reimagined with authentic Mexican flavors and the joy of live mariachi — because Purim deserves a real celebration. |
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Hamantaschen & L’Chaim Bar
Taste the iconic three-cornered pastry alongside our festive drinks bar. Haman may be gone, but his pockets live on — deliciously. |
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Masquerade & All-Ages Fun
Costumes, games, and prizes for everyone. The mask is a Purim tradition rooted in the holiday’s deepest theme: what is hidden is what matters most. |
The Holiday
What Is Purim?
Purim commemorates the Divinely orchestrated salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire. It is a holiday of joy, gratitude, and the recognition that even in the most hidden circumstances, Providence is at work.
The word “Purim” means “lots” — referring to the lots cast by the villain Haman to choose a date for the Jews’ destruction. What was meant as an instrument of doom became the name of the celebration of their rescue.
The Ancient Story
The Purim Story
As told in the Megillah — the Scroll of Esther — set in Persia, c. 355 BCE
Esther’s Secret Rise
King Ahasuerus rules the Persian Empire. After dismissing his queen, a kingdom-wide search brings young Esther to the palace. Guided by her uncle Mordechai, she conceals her Jewish identity and becomes queen — a hidden heroine waiting for her moment.
Haman’s Wicked Plot
Haman, the king’s chief minister, seethes when Mordechai refuses to bow to him. He casts “purim” — lots — to pick a date, then convinces the king to decree the annihilation of every Jew in the empire. The fate of an entire people hangs in the balance.
Esther Steps Forward
Mordechai implores her: “Who knows whether you did not come to royalty for just such a moment?” Esther calls a three-day fast for all Jews, then risks her life by approaching the king unbidden — an act punishable by death — to plead for her people.
Salvation & Eternal Celebration
The king extends his scepter. Haman’s plot is exposed and reversed — he is hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordechai. The Jews are saved. The 14th of Adar is declared forever as a day of feasting, joy, gifts, and giving to the poor.
Observance
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
Every Jewish adult fulfills four commandments on Purim day — each rooted in joy, generosity, and community.
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01 — Reading the Megillah
Hear the Scroll of EstherListen to the public reading of the Megillah twice — once on Purim night and again on Purim day. Every word must be heard. This is the central act of Purim observance. Learn the laws → |
02 — Matanot LaEvyonim
Gifts to the PoorGive monetary gifts to at least two people in need on Purim day. This ensures everyone can share in the joy of the holiday — no one is left out. How to give → |
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03 — Mishloach Manot
Food Gifts to FriendsSend at least two types of ready-to-eat food to at least one Jewish friend on Purim day. This beautiful custom strengthens the bonds of community. Sending guide → |
04 — The Purim Feast
The SeudahEnjoy a festive meal with family on Purim afternoon — with meat and wine, celebrating the miracle with full-hearted, unrestrained joy. This is exactly what tonight is. Feast guide → |
Depth & Meaning
Insights into Purim
Why Do We Wear Costumes?
The central theme of Purim is hiddenness and revelation. Unlike other Biblical miracles, G‑d’s name does not appear anywhere in the Megillah — yet His hand is evident in every twist of the story. Costumes echo this paradox: what is concealed is precisely what matters most. The mask is not deception; it is an invitation to look deeper.
Purim Through History: Stalin and 1953
The Purim pattern has echoed through history. Joseph Stalin, who orchestrated a sweeping anti-Jewish campaign in the Soviet Union, died suddenly on Purim 1953 — just weeks before his plan reached full force. Three million Soviet Jews were saved overnight. The “Doctors’ Plot” was abandoned. The Purim miracle is not only ancient — it is living history.
The Spiritual Art of Purim Joy
The Talmud teaches that on Purim, our ordinary, carefully reasoned consciousness steps aside — and something more essential rises. The deepest layers of the soul are revealed. It is not an escape from self, but an encounter with the self beneath the self. Joy, on Purim, is not optional. It is the point.
The Kitchen
Traditional Purim Foods
The Purim table is as rich as the story itself
Classic Hamantaschen
The three-cornered pastry symbolizes Haman’s pockets — a reminder that he took bribes to fund his decree. The triangular shape recalls his three-cornered hat. Whatever the origin, they are magnificent.
| Ingredient | Amount |
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| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Butter or margarine | 1 cup |
| Sugar | ¾ cup |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp |
| Filling (poppy seed, prune, or apricot) | as needed |
Combine and chill dough 1 hour. Roll thin, cut 3-inch circles, add 1 tsp filling, pinch three corners firmly. Bake 350°F for 12–15 minutes until golden.
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Hidden Wisdom
KreplachMeat-filled dumplings in chicken soup, symbolizing the hidden nature of the Purim miracle — the filling concealed within, just as Providence was concealed in the story. Get recipe → |
The Full Table
16 Purim Feast RecipesFrom roasted meats to chickpea dishes (Esther’s palace diet) to sweet treats — the Purim table is an expression of overflowing, complete joy. See all 16 → |
Join Us
Event Details
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Monday Night — March 2
Megillah Reading #1
Fast ends at 6:16 PM — we gather at the shul immediately after to hear the Megillah together. The mitzvah is to hear it twice: once Monday night, once Tuesday day. |
Tuesday — March 3
Purim in Mexico — 5:15 PM
Megillah reading #2, Mexican feast, live mariachi, hamantaschen bar & all-ages celebration at 817 W 9th St |
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Location
Chabad S. Pedro
817 W 9th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 |
Dress Code
Costumes Welcome!
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Suggested Donation
$15 per person
Sponsorships available |
Seats are limited. Register today to secure your place at the table.
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Article
Why Wear Purim Costumes?The kabbalistic theme of hiddenness woven through the Purim story, and why we dress up to find what’s real. Read on Chabad.org → |
History
The Hoora that Saved Three MillionHow Stalin’s death on Purim 1953 saved Soviet Jewry at the last possible moment. Read on Chabad.org → |
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For Families
The Purim Story in MiniatureA puppet-based video that tells the Purim story beautifully for young children. Perfect pre-event viewing. Watch on Chabad.org → |
Music
The Maccabeats — Purim SongThe viral a cappella Purim anthem. The perfect pre-party soundtrack for the whole family. Watch on YouTube → |
Purim 2026
Ready to Celebrate?
Join us Tuesday, March 3rd at 5:15 PM for a Purim celebration you will never forget. Megillah, mariachi, hamantaschen, and joy for all ages.