Purim carnival returns for 27th year

We are very happy to have the community celebrate in this celebration.”

Joseph Weisbord, Congregation Beth Ohr, President

On Sunday, the Bellmore-Merrick community and members of Congregation Beth Ohr gathered for the 27th annual Mel Polay Purim Carnival in Merrick. Founded by congregation member Evelyn Polay after her husband, Mel, died 27 years ago, the Purim celebration has been a fixture in the community for years.

Four years ago, Congregation Beth Ohr, on Centre Avenue in Bellmore, merged with Temple Israel of South Merrick. Temple Israel’s former location is now known as Beth Ohr’s Merrick annex, and the building, on Clubhouse Road in South Merrick, served as the perfect spot for the carnival. Though Purim did not technically begin until Wednesday at sundown, children and families gathered early to celebrate what many carnival goers deemed an especially fun holiday.

Joseph Weisbord, President of Congregation Beth Ohr, told the Herald that the carnival could not be held last year due to the pandemic. “Our biggest challenge has been trying to figure out how to bring everything back, and we’re almost there,” Weisbord said.

Ellen Agulnick, the director of congregational learning at Beth Ohr, was happy to see community members enjoying the carnival. “We are excited to be back here this year,” she said.

Purim, as explained by the congregation’s cantor, Joshua Diamond, commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an official of the First Persian Empire, who was planning to have all of Persia’s Jewish subjects killed. As the story goes, Queen Esther, the Jewish wife of the Persian King Xerxes, is credited as a heroine, alongside her cousin Mordecai, for saving the Jewish people. Today the holiday is celebrated by reading the Book of Esther — or the Megillah — and by completing 5 mitzvot, or commandments.

Diamond said that Jewish people should attend a Megillah reading during the evening on the day Purim begins, and attend a second Megillah reading the following morning. The additional mitzvot include giving gifts to the poor, doing the same for friends and family members, and enjoying a traditional Purim feast.

Weisbord added that attending Megillah readings is fun, especially with young children. “It’s a day to celebrate — the kids will be singing and participating,” he said. Every time the name “Haman” is mentioned during the reading, it is tradition to make a lot of noise to block out his name, Weisbord noted, which he said children always enjoy doing.

Around the carnival, Polay had set up games including a ring toss and basketball throw. Children were able to win prizes, get temporary tattoos and enjoy sweet treats, among many other activities throughout the day. Polay said that many years ago, after her husband died, the men’s club at the temple wanted to do something in his honor, and it raised $20,000. The carnival has taken place every year since, in Mel’s memory.

Purim is also often celebrated by dressing in costume, which was evident around the carnival. To those who are unfamiliar with the holiday, it somewhat resembles Halloween. But costumes are worn for a couple of reasons, Diamond explained.

“God is not present in all of the Purim story, whereas in the books of the Bible, God is present,” he said. “Many Jews, they dress up and they hide their faces on Purim because of that. Another explanation is that the Jews would dress up and pretend they weren’t Jews so they wouldn’t be killed.”

“It’s a fun day — a day to party,” Weisbord added of the costumes, and the holiday in general. “We just want everyone to have a fun time, and we are very happy to have the community participate in this celebration.”