Community Corner
Samuel Field Y Hosts Carnival for Purim
Little Neck residents turn out to celebrate Jewish holiday
For more than 40 years, Little Neck’s has held its annual carnival to celebrate Purim, a Jewish holiday that goes back nearly 24 centuries.
“The building opened in 1964 and it’s probably been going on since,” said Jeri Mendelsohn, Associate Executive Director of the Samuel Field Y.
On Sunday, the Y, located at 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, was transformed into a wonderland for kids, complete with inflatable amusements such as an obstacle course, rock climbing wall, giant slide and a jumping castle.
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There were also arts and crafts, games, cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, knishes, potato chips and sweets.
“It’s okay, they’re all zero calories,” Mendelsohn joked.
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Amid the treats and activities for children, staffers and volunteers distributed information about the Y’s nursery and summer camp programs.
The event was organized by Carol Giancola and Iris Shaw. Giancola is Assistant Director of the Health and Fitness program at the Y, while Shaw is the director of its after-school program at P.S. 115 in nearby Glen Oaks.
Contributors to the carnival included food company Ba-Tampte;, the Claro-Resetar family, Del Mir Catering, HNA vending and the Stop & Shop supermarkets in Little Neck and New Hyde Park.
Tickets were a mere 25 cents apiece but children were given two tickets if they brought a can of food for the Y’s food drive, Mendelsohn said. They received five free tickets for arriving in costume, which is part of the holiday’s cultural tradition.
The story of Purim is told in the “Megillah,” or Book of Esther, and recounts how the young woman, concealing her Jewish identity, was selected to be Queen of Persia, saving her cousin Mordechai and her tribe from the Grand Vizier Haman.
Attendees at Sunday’s carnival took part in Purim’s traditions, such as dressing in costume and collecting food baskets. Volunteers at the event ranged from small children to seniors.
The Mays family drove up from Queens Village so that six-year-old William could get in the spirit.
“We participate in the Y’s after school program,” father Mitchell Mays explained. “This place is great.”