JSC Volunteers Introduce Shpiels And Snacks To Purim Celebrations in Mumbai

This year witnessed an unexpected twist in the usual Purim festivities at the JDC-sponsored Evelyn Peters Jewish Community Center (EPJCC) in Mumbai, India: EPJCC and JDC staff members co-starred in a Purim shpiel (play), written by JDC’s local Jewish Service Corps volunteer, Leila Bilick.

"In America, there is a long standing tradition of performing a Purim shpiel, which I love," shares Leila. "I wanted to bring some of the humor and fun that goes along with the shpiel, but tailor it to this particular community." The JSC volunteer also saw the Purim custom as a unique opportunity to get the whole staff together, and engage everyone in something creative and different.

Leila’s shpiel retold the classic story of Purim, with jokes from popular Bollywood films and everyday life in this Indian city. The audience, a mix of young families and older community members, warmed quickly to the new tradition—especially Queenie Belkar, who has been involved with the Jewish community for years. "I loved how all of the community gathered together there to celebrate Purim and to learn something new," she says. "When we see the story again and again and in new and different ways, we keep it in our minds and we always learn new details."

Following the shpiel, the children participated in a fancy dress costume competition and talent competition, mimicking the beauty contest recounted in the Megila (scroll); their parents tested their Purim knowledge in a raffle trivia challenge.

Before the crowd dispersed, Leila and her fellow JSC volunteer in Mumbai, Reuben Posner, distributed their homemade Hamantaschen (cookies in the shape of Haman’s ears). Though the Indian Jewish community traditionally consumes puranpoli, a sweet version of the everyday flat bread in honor of Purim, children and adults alike curiously sampled the new treat.

Reuben explains, "We wanted to bring a little something from the way we celebrate Purim in America for the children to taste. They didn’t come out the exact same way as they usually do at home, but neither did the shpiel. Everything here has its own unique flavor."

March 2008