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Community Corner

Ride 'Em ... Rabbi? A Wild West Purim at Chabad

The Wild West mixes with the Jewish feast of Purim at this year's celebration at the Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge.

What do you get when you mix a Rabbi and a mechanical bull?

That's the question Rabbi Yitzthok Moully is exploring on Sunday, February 28, when the Chabad Jewish Center of Basking Ridge holds a Wild West-themed Purim celebration, completely with a rabbi, and anyone else who is interested, riding a mechanical bull.

The event is open to all members of the Jewish community, as well as anyone else who is interested. Moully, who is Community Programs Director at the center, said he expects around 150 or 200 people this year as in years past.

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Moully said the choice of a Wild West theme fit well with the celebratory, party atmosphere of Purim.

"We generally try to do different things," Moully said. "People don't expect to see a rabbi on a mechanical bull, and the rabbi doesn't expect to see himself up there, either. It'll create a really fun atmosphere."

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Events during the day will include kids' games, a feast, line dancing, and the opportunity for people to have their picture taken with Wild West theme and costumes. There will also be music and a prize for the best costume, according to Moully.

The event begins at 11 am at the Chabad Jewish Center, 3048 Valley Road, Basking Ridge. RSVP ahead of time for a reduced rate of $10 per person, $40 for a family or $150 for a sponsorship at www.chabadcentral.org/RSVP or 908-604-8844 x229. Entrance will be $15 per person at the door.

The center has been holding Purim celebrations for the last 17 years. Themes in the past have been around-the-world locations such as Italy, Japan, Russia and Hawaii, according to Moully.

Purim is a holiday that celebrates the survival of the Jews in ancient Persia during the time of Esther, after a plan to annihilate the Jews living under King Achashverosh (Xerxes) was foiled. Celebration of the feast usually involves exchanging gifts of delicacies and drink, aiding the poor and feasting on superb dishes interspersed with wine.

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