Saturday, March 18, 8 pm, ages 22–45, Sandler Family Campus
Callah Terkeltaub and Catherine Heben are already down the rabbit hole, “madly” co-chairing the much-anticipated annual Purim party hosted by the Young Adult Division of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
This year, the Alice in Wonderland theme might encourage a Cheshire Cat, a Mad Hatter, a Queen of Hearts, or perhaps a Dodo to make an appearance at YAD’s largest annual event sponsored by Tidewater Home Funding.
“We’ve spent hours trying to figure out what kind of costume party would interest our YAD counter-parts and realized that everyone wishes they could have escaped to Wonderland at least once in their lives,” says Terkeltaub.
Last year, the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus was transformed into a mini Las Vegas, complete with Elvis impersonators, roulette and blackjack tables. Attendees to this “What Happens at Purim, Stays at Purim” event gambled with $10,000 in chips (later cashed in for raffle tickets to win prizes), reveled around an open bar, devoured gourmet appetizers and danced the night away to the beat of a live band with plenty of zany photo ops.
The growing popularity of the YAD Purim party raises the stakes for the planning committee to outdo themselves each year.
“This year we’re hoping to have a silent auction, maze, photo booth, and even a hookah lounge. Our slogan is, ‘We’re all Mad for Purim!’ so expect outlandish decor, lots of color, and fun props,” says Terkeltaub.
Costumes and cocktail attire add to the festivities with many revelers turning out with inventive creative garb. Last year, Liberace, Celine Dion, a Vegas wedding complete with a bride and groom and even a knocked up showgirl were in the mix with the audience casting their votes for those who chose to walk up on stage. Big Money Lemke (Shawn Lemke) walked away with a night at the Oceanfront Holiday Inn.
What whimsy awaits this year’s Mad Hatter Tea Party? Terkeltaub says with Queen of Hearts authority, “’Off with their heads’ to anyone who tells! Trust us, you definitely won’t want to miss the Purim party this year—it will definitely be one you won’t forget.”
$30 per person in advance and $50 per person at the door. For more information, contact Leah Abrams at labrams@ujft.org or visit jewishva.org/purimparty.