From Rabbi Levi Slonim:
The annual campus wide Purim Carnival will be held Thursday, February 21 from 8:00-10:00pm in the Binghamton University Events Center. Binghamton community members of all ages are welcome to join in the fun. A $3 admission package includes all of the rides and attractions and all the Hamentashen (holiday pastries) you can eat. The annual Binghamton University Purim Carnival Extravaganza is a campus tradition that has been enjoyed by over two decades of students and community members.
The Carnival, which attracts an average of 2,000 people annually, will feature a wide array of game booths and attractions including World Sports Arena, Sumo Wrestling, Adrenaline Rush Obstacle course and a four way Bungee Challenge, plus music and great kosher munchies for sale. In the spirit of Purim, participants are encouraged to come in costume and be included in the competition, which will award prizes to contestants with the most innovative costumes. This year, University President Harvey Stenger will lead the panel of faculty judges who will adjudicate over the costume contest. Other high points of the evening will include the hot-dog and whipped cream-pie eating competitions and the popular Battle of the Bands.
The Carnival is a project of the Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life and is spearheaded by Chabad, Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Epsilon Phi, and co-sponsored by OC3, FINCO, BU Convocations, Sodexo, Kaplan and Hillel-JSU, and many of the residential communities, with cooperation by the Greek groups and professional fraternities.
“The carnival is a huge program on every level and we begin to plan and work on this months in advance,” said carnival coordinator, Max Kapelus ‘13 who along with Debi Kuba ’15 are coordinating this years’ carnival. “Having such a wide coalition of university groups co-sponsor an event in honor of a Jewish holiday is unique to our campus, really fantastic! We are looking forward to the biggest and best carnival yet.”
“This is a great way for people to celebrate, have a lot of fun with their friends and benefit charities too, so make sure to contribute towards the drive!” stated Michael Snow ’14 who along with Sabrina Rose ‘13, is chairing this years' charity drive
Proceeds from the charity drive and carnival will benefit various local charities as well as Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in the NY, NJ area.
What is the holiday of Purim?
The festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It begins this year after sundown on February 23rd and ends at nightfall on February 24th. The holiday commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day." The name of the holiday, Purim, literally means "lots," for Haman determined the day of the annihilation by drawing a lottery. It is observed by public readings of the Megillah, or Scroll of Esther, to recount the story of the Purim miracle, sending food gifts to friends, giving gifts of money to the poor and enjoying a festive Purim meal. For more on Purim’s history, observances and meaning, plus fun and other activities for all, please visit
http://www.JewishBU.com/Purim2013.
During the past 50 years there has been a revival in the observance of the Purim holiday. This phenomenon can be directly traced to the vigorous outreach efforts of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, under whose direction the Chabad-Lubavitch movement distributed hundreds of millions of Purim packages and explanatory brochures, organized countless public readings of the Book of Esther in places famous and obscure and otherwise reached out to Jews of all walks of life to encourage them to partake in the holiday's celebration.
For more information on Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University’s Purim festivities or on the holiday of Purim and its observances, contact Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University visit our website at
www.JewishBU.com/Purim2013 or contact us by email: info@JewishBU.com
Who: Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University
What: Purim Carnival Extravaganza at BU
When: Thursday, February 21 from 8:00-10:00pm
Where: Events Center, Binghamton University
Cost: $3.00 (includes all rides & attractions)
Other admission information: fee includes all of the rides and attraction
Parking Information: Parking will be available on site for the wider public
