Excited for Purim 5786/2026 at UAlbany!
This year we’re going with “A Revolutionary Purim” theme. Why a Revolutionary Purim? This 2026 year is part of the 250th year commemoration of the American Revolution.
Albany is pretty close to a lot of historic sites related to this important and pivotal historical period. Locally, we’re not far from the Saratoga Battlefield (“turning point of the Revolution”) and many active during that period lived in or around Albany.
And the Megillah is a story of a dramatic turnaround, the gragger spins, a revolution, indeed!
3/2: TAANIT (FAST OF) ESTHER
For those fasting it’s a daytime fast that concludes with the Megillah. We will have some break-fast food at the Purim event.
3/2: PURIM NIGHT – “A REVOLUTIONARY PURIM!”
Monday night, 6pm Megillah reading followed by activities, booths and festivities in the CC West Multipurpose Room – all with a commemorative revolutionary flourish!
All in costume get a little something extra, and best costumes or pairs win prizes. Not in costume? Still very welcome, of course!
For those who can’t make the 6pm Megillah we’ll also have a later reading towards the end of the event in the Campus Center Multipurpose Room at 8:15pm.
3/3: PURIM DAY
We’ll have an early Tuesday morning Megillah Reading at Shabbos House, at 8:00am before classes begin. Watch the SH Student Announcement Whatsapp Chat for updates and specifics for this and for all things Shabbos House.
Purim Tabling Tuesday 12pm-3pm in the LC’s. Stop by if you’re around.
Last Megillah reading Tuesday 5pm (have to get it in before sunset!) followed by a delicious festive Purim feast at Shabbos House starting approx 5:30pm. This Purim feast is a non-class-style spirited continuation of Torah-Tuesday series of “From Redemption to Redemption!” A meat meal of pepper-steak and more will be served.
ABOUT THE MITZVOT & CUSTOMS OF PURIM:
There are 4 Mitzvot of Purim (in Hebrew they all begin with letter Mem: Megillah, Mishloach Manot, Matanot L’Evyonim, & Mishteh).
1) To hear the Megillah read twice: once by night and again once during daytime of Purim
2) To give gifts of food to at least one fellow Jew (to enhance their Purim)
3) To give some charity to the poor. You can give to someone in need, via an org of your choice, or you can also give via Shabbos House at shabboshouse.org/donate (please specify “Purim Fund”) and we will allocate it on your behalf.
4) To enjoy a festive spirited Purim Meal on Purim Day. It can start on Purim Day and continue into the night that follows (as we will do here).
See much more about Purim at the Chabad.org/Purim mini-site. Lots of material there!
Customs of Purim include:
1) Dress-up and costume. G-d is hidden in the Megillah Story. It takes some seeking to realize the miracle hiding within nature.
2) Hamantaschen Cookies. Here’s some inspiration and background we shared about these cookies over the years.
3) Graggering Haman’s Name. May we stamp out evil and hatred! Amen!
FOR PARENTS & FAMILIES
Wishing to send their student at UAlbany a Mishloach Manot Package of treats, please fill out this form.