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March 20, 2009
Hooray for holidays
Children delight in Purim festivities at the JCC.
OLGA LIVSHIN
Oh, Purim, the holiday of joy! I still nostalgically remember my grandmother's Hamantashen, filled with her homemade plum jam and crushed walnuts. Although my atheistic family lived in Moscow, far from their observant Moldavian clan, my grandmother sent us a parcel with sweets every Purim, reminding us to be thankful for at least one Jewish tradition. But I had never experienced a Purim carnival until March 8, when I joined a horde of youngsters in costume at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCCGV).
The theme of this year's carnival was Haman Hockey Extravaganza, and the JCCGV's 50 staffers dressed up as hockey players to celebrate. The Wosk Auditorium was transformed into a huge breakfast parlor, where staff, under colorful balloons, served pancakes, and uplifting Hebrew songs played softly in the background. A toddler in a pink tutu swirled between the tables in happy oblivion, while her older brother dug into his pancakes with gusto.
Downstairs in the gym, sports activities were in full swing. There was a bouncy castle and grass hockey; a mini hoop and a hammering stand – while on a nearby field, a trainer demonstrated ball-dribbling techniques to his eager apprentices. The costumes of the several hundred children in attendance varied dramatically. Princesses abounded, with gypsies, animals and superheroes taking second place. There were also two chefs, several clowns and ballerinas and one Darth Vader, swinging his black balloon as if it was a light saber.
At the face-painting station, a solemn girl in a pink princess dress submitted to the ministrations of the artist's brush. At the Queen Esther Spa, meanwhile, girls had a chance to have their nails painted.
At the Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery, I was surprised to see director Reisa Schneider. I didn't recognize her at first, dressed up in a hockey jersey, a white sombrero and red, star-shaped sunglasses, trimmed with silver sparkles. She was beaming, inviting everyone to a chamber music concert in her gallery.
Eric Wilson, a world-class cellist and husband of Melanie Fleischer, whose paintings are currently displayed in the gallery, brought his students to play for the audience. A quartet of two violins, one viola and one cello played Beethoven and Purcell, while Wilson provided explanations to the pieces. One little girl left with her father in the middle of the concert but came back later, her crown gleaming with faux gems, her tiny hand clutching a stick of a cotton candy. She determinedly climbed back into her chair, her mouth getting blue from the candy. Her eyes didn't stray from the performers and their instruments as she absorbed the music.
After the hectic ambience of the carnival outside the gallery door, the atmosphere inside felt serene. The young musicians, also dressed as hockey players, worked their skilled bows into graceful melodies. They finished the concert with "Jerusalem of Gold" and then "Lady Madonna" by the Beatles. The children were invited to dance to the last piece, while the paintings looked down on them from the gallery walls. It might have been the only classical music concert in the world played in an art gallery by musicians dressed as hockey players. Only in Canada, I thought with a grin, as I left.
Olga Livshin is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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