Purim
2027-03-22 18:00 - 2027-03-23 18:00 (Europe/London)
Purim is a joyous festival, commemorating the survival of the Jews who, as narrated in the biblical Book of Esther, had been doomed to annihilation in Persia in the 5th century BCE.
The holiday occurs on the 14th of Adar in the Jewish calendar, falling in February or March on the Gregorian calendar.
Of the many holidays in the Jewish calendar, Purim’s celebration of the Jews overcoming oppression—through the actions of a Jewish woman and her uncle—is one of the most jubilant and is marked with lively festivities, pageantry, and a special triangular pastry.

Pesach
2027-04-21 18:00 - 2027-04-28 18:00
Following the tradition of other LJ Synagogues, at SPS we do not hold a service for Erev Pesach but many families conduct their own Seder at home. Our practice has also been to “marry up” people who have no-one to share a Seder with, with a family who is happy to invite them. There is always a 1st day Pesach service, followed, in the evening, with the communal Seder which, as we are an inclusive Synagogue, is open to everyone. A collection is usually made, with the money being donated to the specified charity for that year.
As LJ has updated it’s Haggadah (prayer book for Pesach), so have we and are now using the latest version, which includes a child-friendly Seder. Children are encouraged to participate in the Seder, being it reciting the Mah Nishtana, to finding the Afikomen, for which there is a prize. Families are also included in helping to lead the service.
Pesach concludes with an Erev (last night) service, followed by a 7th day morning service, which includes the dedication of leaves on the Memorial Tree.
