The Mother Lode Jewish Community (MLJC) will be hosting a series of events here in the Mother Lode including a number associated with two Jewish Holidays, Purim in March and Passover in April. 

The first is a Hamentashen “Prep Party” on Thursday, March 9^th, from 2-5 p.m. just days before the “Super Hero” themed Purim Party on Saturday, March 11^th from 6-10 p.m.  Both take place in private homes in the Murphys area.  The prep baking party offers a chance to better get to know MLJC members and learn how to make these delectable triangular goodies.  The Purim party is a potluck dinner affair with live music and a chance to participate in or enjoy the antics of, the MLJC Thespians…as well as eat all those Hamentashen!  Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite “super-hero”.
Then on the evening of Friday, March 24^th there will be a Shabbat Around the Table from 6-9 p.m. in Murphys.  Rabbi Andra Greenwald will share the back-stories of the rituals welcoming the Sabbath at a scrumptious Sabbath potluck dinner.

In April, MLJC members and guests will gather in Sonora for a Passover Seder Dinner on the second night of Passover.  There will be two “prep” parties just in advance of this catered dinner, one in the Bar XX area in Calaveras County and one in Sonora.  Dates for these three events are Saturday, April 8^th and Sunday, April 9^th, respectively, for the prep parties and on the evening of Tuesday, April 11^th for the Seder.  Rabbi Andra Greenwald will conduct the Seder, which will be followed by a catered meal featuring brisket of beef, chicken and the traditional Jewish foods associated with this Holiday.
All of these gatherings other than the Passover Seder are free.  Rates for the catered Passover dinner can be found online at the MLJC website: MotherLodeJewishCommunity.org.  Registration is fast and easy. 

MLJC events are open to all individuals interested in them.  For more information about the organization or these future events, call 209-533-1650, email motherlodejc@yahoo.com or check out our website.  The MLJC’s mission is to provide opportunities and events that nurture a vibrant and enduring Jewish identity, culture and community in the Mother Lode.  The group draws its members from Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties.  

(Pictured above): MLJC Thespians enact comic dramatization of The Story of Esther.