Temple Avodah in Oceanside celebrates Purim Polynesian-style

Nearly 300 community members gathered for a Purim celebration at Temple Avodah on March 20.

As families shuffled into the sanctuary, they received groggers, which is a traditional noisemaker for the holiday, and colorful paper leis, adding a new twist to Purim.

The holiday is cause for celebration — costumes were worn and gifts exchanged.

Rabbi Uri Goren told the original story of Purim, from the Book of Esther, in which Jews were saved from annihilation at the hands of the evil Haman.

Then, the temple’s junior choir, led by cantorial soloist Jessica Gubenko, performed a “Moana”-themed Purim spiel. The children dressed up as Polynesian villagers from the 2016 animated Disney film and sang the tunes to its songs, changing the lyrics to tell the story of Purim. When Haman’s name was spoken, kids and adults alike waved groggers to blare out his name, all part of the fun tradition.

“I can’t tell you how many parents and grandparents were taking photos,” said Temple Avodah President Lenore Greenberg. “It was very high on the cute factor.”

The entire cast and crew, which comprised kids in pre-school through high school, worked for several weeks to make the show happen. They all stood together to sing the final number to a resounding round of applause.

After the performance, guests ate dessert and exchanged gifts.

“Kids were running around, parents were running around,” Greenberg said of the exciting evening. “Smiles were all over.”