In the mid- 2000s, Michael Raizen was told that putting on a community-wide Purim Shpiel in Denver would never work. That’s all Michael needed in the way of motivation and inspiration. By early 2014, the Perpetually Perplexed Purim Players (PPPP), a name invented by HEA member Leah Peer, was founded and the first of seven annual Purim Shpiels was in rehearsal.
Originally a joint project of HEA and Rodef Shalom, those early PPPP Shpiels attracted an audience from throughout Denver’s Jewish community. The first year the Shpiel was a tribute to the Beatles. Since then the Shpiel themes have been The Best of Disney, Jersey Boys, Billy Joel, The Wizard of Oz and a couple of swipes at Broadway tunes. “What I love about these Shpiels is how both lay-volunteers and professional clergy set aside their inhibitions and come together to put on a great show,” says Michael. “Always full of humor and with the expected bloopers of an amateur production, these have been absolutely great fun.”
Along the way Michael’s wife, Gail Devore, brought her talent for set designs, costuming and clowning around to the Shpiels. She remembers fondly when Michael cross-dressed and appeared as a Maiden in one of the Shpiels. “My favorite part of these Shpiels is when one of the actors, usually a Rabbi, comes on stage singing a song that’s not part of the Shpiel. The cast – and now the audiences-all shout YOU’RE IN THE WRONG SHPIEL. It’s become a signature moment of these shows,” says Gail.
As with so many things, the COVID Pandemic brought a halt to the PPPP Shpiels. The most recent one took place in March of 2020, just before the city shut down. Earlier this year Gail and Michael, with the help of Cantor Saul Rosenthal decided to try and revive the Shpiels and start a new series to bring the community together once again around Purim. “With the stress we’ve all been experiencing in recent months we thought it was time for some fun in Denver’s Jewish community,” said Michael.
So the PPPP Shpiel will return to HEA on SUNDAY, MARCH 9, at 11:00 a.m. This year’s is called “The Story of Esther – Taylor Swift’s Version.” It features 10 of Taylor’s songs – with new lyrics appropriate for the Purim story - and a hilarious script acted out by the Clergy and a dozen members of HEA – adults and children! Plenty of gags about Taylor (and Travis Kelce) and enough Dad jokes to make you cringe. There may even be another case of cross-dressing actors. You’ll have to be there to find out.
So come one and all – and especially you Swifties out there – in costume (especially Taylor Swift look-alikes) or not. We promise you a great show to kick off your Purim celebrations. And plan to stick around for the HEA Purim Carnival which follows at noon.
Our thanks to the leadership of HEA for helping to make this show possible and to generous donors over the years whose contributions supported the Shpiels. See you March 9th.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Coming Up!
Azamra at DU Friday, Feb 14th 6:00p to 9:00p Azamra heads to DU to share Shabbat with DU students and HEA's Young Adults for Tu Bishvat Eco Shabbat! Service led by Rabbi Shulman and Eitan Kantor. Service and candle lighting at 6:00 p.m., followed by a kosher Shabbat dinner. Come and join us!
Torah for Today Class Shabbat, Feb 15th 10:30a to 11:15a With Rabbi Marlene Richter.
Bikkur Cholim Team Training Sunday, Feb 16th 11:00a to 12:00p Join Rabbi Shulman and Rabbi Jeffrey Kaye, Director of Chaplaincy Services at Rose Medical Center, for a training on best practices for visiting others in the hospital. This training will officially launch our Bikkur Cholim (Visiting the Sick) Team to support members in the hospital and home-bound.
Shabbat-Along Friday, Feb 21st 4:30p to 7:00p Feel free to come when you are able for this interactive Shabbat experience geared toward families with children in 3rd grade and under. Older siblings, grandparents, and friends are always welcome.
Kavod on the Road Tuesday, Feb 25th 1:00p to 2:30p Monthly programs for adults hosted by Kavod On the Road at HEA.
Whiskey Tasting Wednesday, Feb 26th 7:00p to 9:00p HEA will be hosting a whiskey tasting with Ben Rosen, founder of Colorado Bourbon & Rye Collectors. We will be tasting single-barrel selections that are completely unique to CBRC. Appetizers will be served for the tasting, and, of course, some non-alcoholic drinks will be available.
Traditional Friday Evening Service & Dinner for JDAIM Friday, Feb 28th 6:00p to 9:00p Enjoy the melodies you love at our Traditional Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by the kosher food you love at our a congregational dinner, as we take part in Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)-a unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities and those who love them.
Hochmat Nashim: Women’s Torah Study Group Sunday, Mar 2nd 6:30p to 8:00p Join a vibrant group of Jewish women led by Rabbi Shulman and Gitit Kaufman for a meaningful evening of engagement with Torah and one another.
Mishloach Manot Bag Prep Monday, Mar 3rd 1:00p to 4:00p & Tuesday, Mar 4th 6:30p to 8:30p Help fill Mishloach Manot for our HEA households. Please sign up to help assemble or drop off bags and bring the joy of Purim to all of our members.
Monthly Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Shulman Wednesday, Mar 5th 12:00p to 1:00p A curriculum on Judaism and Jewish identity based on traditional sources and the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Topics include Identity, Prayer, Study, Mitzvot, Tzedakah, Chesed, Faith, Israel, Kiddush Hashem, and the Jewish future.
Interfaith Iftar: Sharing Tables for Healing Thursday, Mar 6th 5:15p to 7:00p Join us at the Multicultural Mosaic Foundation (14232 E Evans Ave, Aurora, CO 80014) for an evening of sharing, caring, and healing. We will look at healing texts in both traditions and share a vegetarian meal at the table. Our Mosaic friends will be providing salmon, rice, and potato dishes, and HEA members will bring salads, side dishes, and desserts. Please sign up to bring one of the requested items in the form. This is a family-friendly event!
