Q&A: Rabbi Jonathan Katz

"There is drinking, but generally speaking, not to that extent. We are having what we call “Purimtini” before our service that’s going to have some festive drinks: Haman’s Hooch, Mordecai Moonshine, etc. But we’ll also have plenty of soft drinks." — Rabbi Jonathan Katz

Spoofs and “spiels” (Yiddish for “play”) have a rich tradition in Purim, according to Rabbi Jonathan Katz, in part because the characters make for good parodies. There’s the blustering King Ahashuerus of Persia, who knows nothing of his evil advisor Haman’s plot to overthrow him and destroy the Jews and his beautiful Queen Esther, who reveals herself to be a Jew and saves her people from destruction.

Purim, which is March 4 this year, is a minor holiday in Judaism but a major cause for celebration in Jewish communities worldwide. Here, Katz explains the holiday.

Q: Why is Purim significant?

A: Throughout Jewish history, we have experienced many Hamans who have sought our destruction, but in this story, the tables are turned, and it’s an opportunity for the Jewish community to see the reversal of what they’ve tragically experienced so often.

Q: Purim is thought of as a drinking holiday. Should we expect any drinking games at Temple Beth Israel?

A: When I was in Israel studying as a student, I wandered into the ultra-Orthodox section on Purim and saw the Jews there swaying, and I said, “They’re really taking it seriously as a drinking holiday.” There is drinking, but generally speaking, not to that extent. We are having what we call “Purimtini” before our service that’s going to have some festive drinks: Haman’s Hooch, Mordecai Moonshine, etc.But we’ll also have plenty of soft drinks.

Q: What’s the greatest Purim spoof you’ve been involved with?

A: When I was a rabbi in Virginia, Disney had plans to build a theme park in Manassas, Va., which was controversial because it was going near the National Battlefield. We were trying to build a temple at the time and had been meeting in a church, so I wrote in the bulletin that I had received a letter from Michael Eisner (then the CEO of the Walt Disney Co.) offering $300,000 for the temple’s building fund as a goodwill gesture to its future neighbors…As part of the deal, Mickey and Minnie would make bar mitzvah appearances...I remember being called in by my board of directors. They told me it was very immature, and they were disappointed in me. Then, after the Washington Post picked it up and we got all kinds of great press, they kind of changed their tone.

Q: Have you ever pulled a Purim prank on the TBI congregation?

A: No. I was a little chastened by my past experience. I prefer to channel my focus into the April Fools’ edition of the Longboat Observer.

Q: What’s your favorite role you’ve played in a Purimspiel?

A: That would be the year at Temple Beth Israel I played the king, and I had a big turban, a moustache and a pillow stuffed in my gut, and I was acting like I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve pretty much played all the roles over the years. But as rabbi, I’m not eager to take on a key role because I’d rather let my congregation do that. It’s a way to use the talents of members. Someone who might not consider themselves observant can be part of the tradition in a fun and creative way.

Q: This year’s Purim spiel will be a “Wrapper Purim.” What’s that?

A: We’re telling the story through candy. Years ago at that same Virginia congregation, I was going to tell the story in a funny way, but I didn’t work out exactly how I was going to do it. I stopped at a candy store and noticed some Lifesavers candy and thought, “Oh yeah, Esther was a lifesaver,” so I worked different candies into the story.

Q: In 2022, Purim and St. Patrick’s Day will coincide. Can you think of any potential hybrids, such as the menurkey that was created for Thanksgivukkah in 2013?  

A: Corned beef? I don’t know. There’s a tradition now of green bagels. I might say that if Haman was going to be king, he would be king of IRE-land because of his anger.