Today’s story about Celebrating Purim with New Traditions is sponsored by Purimania!

There are so many stories I remember from childhood that make me giggle. Like when I was in elementary school I attended a religious instructions program on Wednesdays at 2pm. It was so much fun and I never thought about the religious aspect of it aside from being with my friends and learning new things. Our home wasn’t religious in any way, and all I knew was that I was Jewish. My mother never attended synagogue, nor do I remember her observing any of the holidays, but she did sign me up for this weekly program. When I started to learn about the Jewish laws and customs I tried pointing them out to her but didn’t get very far. I loved all the holidays because they were fun – especially Purim. This year I’m introducing my girls to something new and fun – Purimania!

Celebrating Purim

Purim is a fun holiday – it involves parades, costumes, delicious treats like hamantaschen, and overall celebration. During Purim you typically reading the Megillah (book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle, give money gifts to at least two poor people, sending gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person (also done in the fashion of creating a basket of goodies – Mishloach Manos, and enjoying a festive Purim feast. Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar and it 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,” as recorded in the Megillah (book of Esther).

The girls really look forward to Purim each year, and everyone always wants to dress up as Queen Esther – because she’s just awesome. Each year our Chabad celebrates Purim with a huge carnival, entertainment, food, treats and costumes. This year we are starting a new tradition as we get ready for Purim with Purimania, a new album from award-winning family performer Danna Banana, writer of classics like The Goofball and Suddenly Summer. Purimania is a stellar collection of tunes old and new celebrating the Jewish Holiday of Purim.

Purim starts Wednesday night, February 28 and continues through Thursday, March 1, 2018, in the US (ends March 2 in Israel). Danna Banana is a well-loved performer with six albums out and numerous performances across the country. He is a John Lennon Songwriting Grand Prize Winner and named New York Magazine’s Best Party Entertainer. The New York Post called him a ripe talent and a mom in New Jersey called him a piñata of listening pleasure. Trained as an opera singer, he sang leading roles all over the country in such operas as La Boheme, Don Giovanni, and Carmen before turning his talents to children’s music.

While most of Danna Bananas work is non-denominational music for kids, among his earlier albums include; Bananukah!, a celebration of Hannukah. That albums success prompted him to create Purimania. As in Bananukah!, Purimania mixes traditional songs with his own tuneful originals. Mr. Banana offers lively versions of classics like In Shushan, Wicked Man, and Hag Purim while The Purimania Song offers up his own whimsical version of the Purim story. In Hamantaschen Party, he uses recipes for Hamantaschen, the traditional cookie of Purim, as his lyric both regular and gluten-free!

Start a new tradition with your family this year with Purimania!

Get social and join the #Purimania festivities online Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | iTunes | Spotify

$25 Amazon Gift Card and Digital Copy of Purimania Giveaway

One lucky reader will have a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a Digital Copy of Purimania, ARV $35. The giveaway will begin on 2/22/18 and ends on 3/5/18 at 11pm. Open to residents of the US, who are at least 18 years of age. You must enter using the entry form below. Good luck!

Don’t forget to enter all the other great giveaways posted regularly!

Disclosure: The information supplied and ticket giveaway was provided by Purimania – Danna Banana. One entrant per household, email address and/or IP address. If you have won this prize on another blog you may be ineligible to win again. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. All winners are subject to verification. The sponsor holds the sole responsibility for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.