PURIM

"Mi'shenichnas Adar Marbim B'simcha" – The Gemara teaches us "when Adar approaches, we increase our happiness" (Taanit 29a). Purim falls in the month of Adar--so great is the happiness of the holiday of Purim that it spreads out to the entire month of Adar. We begin our joy on Rosh Hodesh Adar, which falls this year on February 28-March 1. This year, Ta'anit Esther (the Fast of Esther) falls on Monday, March 13 (13 Adar). Purim begins on Monday evening, March 13 (14 Adar) and continues to sundown on Tuesday, March 14.  Shushan Purim, which is celebrated in Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities, is celebrated on the 15th of Adar (evening of March 14 and continuing to sundown on March 15).

There are four mitzvot specific to the holiday of Purim:
Reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther)
Festivity and rejoicing (Seudat Purim -the Purim meal)
Sending food to friends (Mishloach Manot)
Giving gifts to the poor (Matanot La'evyonim)

You can read the customs and laws of Purim in the "Guide to Religious Jewish Practice" by Rabbi Isaac Klein: http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/diduknow/jrpguide/16_part4.shtml
Start learning trope now so you can read Megillat Esther this year:
http://www.ellietorah.com/ptropes.html
There are many web sites to learn customs, songs, recipes, games and suggestions for masks and costumes. Jacob Richman’s hot sites lists sites with information available in English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, French and Portuguese: http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-hdaypu.htm
Be sure to visit the Jewish Agency for Israel's Department for Jewish Zionist Education "Best of the Web for Purim" site: http://www.jafi.org.il/education/festivls/purim/best.html#megilla

Check out the web site of the Jewish Theological Seminary for Purim too. It has commentaries on the holiday as well as kids’ activities: http://learn.jtsa.edu/purim/
It is worth examining the role of women in Megillat Esther by studying the actions of the two strong female characters in the megillah, Esther and Vashti.   The Department for Jewish Zionist Education of he Jewish Agency for Israel investigates "Feminine Aspects of Megillat Esther" in three parts:
Part One: http://www.jafi.org.il/education/festivls/purim/pureng3.html
Part Two: http://www.jafi.org.il/education/festivls/purim/pureng4.html
Part Three: http://www.jafi.org.il/education/festivls/purim/pureng5.html
The WUJS site explores two different models of leadership based on the characters of Vashi and Esther: http://www.wujs.org.il/activist/programmes/programmes/purim/esther.shtml
The range of flavors of "aznei haman" (hamentoshen) is expanding—how does halva-filled hamenstoshen sound to you?  You can choose from lots of recipes at: http://www.jewishcuisine.net/recipes/holidays.html
I tried to find a low fat – low carb recipe and found this recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Hamenstoshen instead: http://www.kosherblog.net/category/recipes/pareve/page/2/

And in case you forgot: Jewish law is restrictive when it comes to drinking alcohol, but Purim is an exception. "Chayav inish l'vesumi ad d'lo yada bein arur Haman l'baruch Mordechai'"(there is a mitzva on Purim to drink and become intoxicated until one cannot distinguish between the accursed Haman and the blessed Mordechai) (Megilla 7b).
Chag Purim Sameach! Have a joyous holiday!

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