Chavurat Hamidbar Fellowship of the Desert
The Chavurah is an egalitarian, eclectic-traditional community without a building or paid professional functionary. Our prayer leaders and Torah readers are both men and women. Our prayer books and bibles (Sim Shalom, Revised Plaut, New Machzor) are issued by various movements, and we sit mixed, family-style.
All are welcome.
Upcoming Events, Services, and Holidays
Purim 2025
Purim begins at sundown on the evening of March 13 in 2025. The joyous holiday of Purim recalls a grim story of the near-destruction of the Jewish people as decreed by Haman, an adviser to the Persian King Ahasuerus. On Purim, we celebrate that Ahasuerus’ new queen, Esther is (unbeknownst to the King) a Jew who saves the Jewish people.
On Purim, we read the story of Esther’s courageous acts in “Megillat Esther,” or the Scroll of Esther. In addition, it is common to give food gifts, called mishloah manot, to friends and those in need. We party and eat a festive meal or seudah. We enjoy hamantaschen, triangle-shaped cookies named for the villainous Haman. We often dress up in costumes and put on humorous plays.