Annual Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction

Thursday, March 24, 6 to 9 p.m.

Historic Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Catered dinner includes hors d’oeurves, salad, entrée, dessert and coffee. Concert and dancing with The Earl Trio. Over 40 auction items. Proceeds benefit Deerfield Beach Historical Society. $60 per person through March 20, $70 at door. Includes two drink tickets. RSVP to judithofdeerfield@gmail.com, 954-461-1152 or elilly707@aol.com, 561-299-8684.

Annual LHP Garden Club Luncheon

Thursday, March 27, 11 a.m.

St. Paul the Apostle Education Hall

2700 E. Sample Rd.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

The Garden Club of Lighthouse Point presents their annual Salad Luncheon and Chinese Auction. Doors open at 11 a.m. Presented by Maria Amador of Sunshine Bromeliads. Info: 954-942-9310 or mkinger@att.net.

Save the Date!: 9th Annual Surfers for Autism Festival

Concert: Friday April 1, 5 to 9 p.m.

Festival: Saturday, April 2, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Paddleboard: Sunday, April 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Deerfield beach

Events especially designed for kids with autism, as well as activities, music, food trucks and fun for the entire family. Musical acts include Buddy Sparrow, The Resolvers, Islanders All, and more. To register kids for surfing or paddleboarding visit www.surfersforautism.org.

EGG HUNTS & EASTER EVENTS

Deerfield Beach

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt: Thursday, March 24, 8 p.m., Constitution Park, 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442.

Egg-Stravaganza Event: Friday, March 25, 6 p.m., Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441.

Annual Easter Egg Run: Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m., Deerfield Beach Athletics Complex, 501 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. All events are free, but bring your own basket for gathering eggs! For additional information on any of the listed events, please contact Constitution Park at 954-480-4494 or Pioneer Park at 954-480-4361, or visit www.deerfield-beach.com/easterevents.

Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to noon. Cross Community Church, 841 SE 2 Ct., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441.

Lighthouse Point

Easter Egg Hunt: Sunday, March 27, 1 p.m., Frank McDonough Park, 3500 NE 27 Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064. Ages 12 and under. Please call the Recreation Department for additional information, 954-784-3439.

Pompano Beach

Easter Celebration: Saturday, March, 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pompano Citi Centre, 1955 N. Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062. Scavenger hunt, free photo with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts, face painting, giveaways and more. Visit www.pompanociticentre.com.

Spring Fling & Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pompano Community Park – Four Fields Complex, 850 NE 18 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33060.

Egg hunts: 11:45 a.m. for 1 – 3 years old; noon for ages 4 – 12. Bounce slides, arts and crafts, DJ and dancing, photo booth and other kid-friendly activities. Call 954-786-4111 for information.

EASTER WEEK CHURCH SERVICES

Sunrise Services

• Deerfield: 6:30 a.m. — on Deerfield beach, across from

Main Parking Lot, between SE 1 and SE 2 Streets on S. Ocean

Way. Sponsored by Deerfield Beach Ministerial Association.

• LHP: 6 a.m. — at Frank McDonough Park, 3500 NE 27

Ave. Service led by St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Christian Love Fellowship Church

801 SE 10 St., Ste. 4, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m.

Communidade Evangélica International Zona Sul-Florida

2205 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 6 p.m.

Community Presbyterian of Deerfield Beach

1920 SE 5 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m.

Cross Community Church

821 SE 2 Ct., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

First Baptist Church Deerfield Beach

701 NE 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 10:30 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church

2331 NE 26 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m.

Good Friday: Friday, March 25, noon

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, Contemporary, 9:30 a.m.; Traditional, 11:15 a.m.

Grace Baptist Church

501 NE 48 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 10:45 a.m.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

380 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m.

Good Friday: Friday, March 25, noon and 3 p.m.; Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday: Saturday, March 26, 7:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 6 p.m.

St. Peter’s Anglican Church

1416 SE 2 Terr., Deerfield Beach, Fl. 33441

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m.

Good Friday: Friday, March 25, 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday: Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, 10 a.m.

Zion Lutheran Church

959 SE 6 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m.

Good Friday: Friday, March 25, 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday: Saturday March 26, 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, March 27, Sunrise at the church, 6:30 a.m.; Regular service 10 a.m.

Bonnie Tyler had a top 40 hit in the 1980s with the song “Holding Out for a Hero.” The lyrics ask:

Where have all the good men gone, and where are all the gods?

Where’s the street-wise Hercules to fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?

Late at night, I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need.

The chorus adds:

I need a hero … I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night.

He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast and he’s gotta be fresh from the fight.

I need a hero … I’m holding out ‘til the morning light.

He’s gotta be sure, and it’s gotta be soon, and he’s gotta be larger than life…

Heroes are those who are characterized by strength, daring and courageous exploits. Marvel and D.C. comics have created superheroes that may seem weak momentarily in the contest against evildoers, but they always gain the upper hand and come out on top. Real life heroes are those people who can do for us what we often cannot do for ourselves. They may even make the ultimate sacrifice, and give their lives to defend or aid their fellow man.

As we prepare to remember and celebrate the passion of our Savior, we consider Him to be our hero. But Jesus is a hero of a different sort because His victory did not occur through His physical dominance over His enemies. In fact, even though the Biblical Hebrews of His day were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their promised Messiah, they ultimately rejected Jesus because He did not fit the pattern of an expected hero. They were looking for a military general, similar to King David, who would defeat their foes and restore them to prominence as a people.

Instead, Jesus seemingly ignored the cruelty of Rome, but focused on the spirit and behavior of His people. He won the crowds with His preaching and miracles, but angered the Pharisees and priests with His disregard for their traditions. In the end, He was brutalized, mocked and humiliated through crucifixion. He was made to suffer unjustly, and then put to death. Yet, He was victorious, despite His suffering and through His suffering. His death resulted in salvation. He is the ultimate hero, one who willingly gave His life for the good of mankind.

His suffering and death were predicted centuries before His arrival. Genesis 3:15 is believed to be a Messianic pronouncement pointing to the crucifixion of Jesus. The serpent is cursed for deceiving Adam and Eve, and God informs him “I will put enmity between you and the woman. And between your seed and her Seed. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

Psalm 22:16-18 foreshadows scenes at the cross. “For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”

Isaiah 53:3 graphically describes the anticipated Messiah as a suffering servant. “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

Heroes are usually celebrated for their actions. Though the majority of His day rejected Him, countless believers today faithfully acknowledge and serve Jesus for His sacrifice. He is our Savior and Hero.

Bishop Patrick L. Kelly is the pastor of Cathedral Church of God, 365 S. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. 954-427-0302.

By Gary Curreri

Although it wasn’t the storybook ending Deerfield Beach High School girls basketball coach Portia Williams had hoped for, it was a step in the right direction.

Host Boca Raton (26-7) jumped out to an early 13-2 lead and cruised to a 71-47 win over Deerfield Beach (25-7) at home in a Class 8A regional final game. The Bobcats went on to fall to Vero Beach, 77-68, in overtime in the state championship contest.

The Bucks got an unexpected boost from 5 ft., 5 in. freshman guard DenAsia Mitchell, who averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 4 steals a game. Mitchell believed she had an opportunity to have a featured role this season after finishing up her middle school career at Carver Middle School in Delray Beach.

“It was a good season and it was good for my first full year,” Mitchell said. “It is a lot of pressure because I was a freshman and a co-captain. It is a big learning curve for me if I want to get better and go to college.”

Deerfield Beach coach Portia Williams was pleased with her team’s effort this season.

“This was a group of young energetic girls that were trying to gel day by day,” said Williams, who was in her 15th season as a coach. “They worked hard and I just had to try and keep them focused. It is a talented group of girls.

“As a 9th grader and seeing a point guard with (Mitchell’s) skill set and knowing the game like her, I just haven’t seen that in a long time,” Williams added, “I was surprised. We told them all season to stay focused and take it game by game. We just have to continue to work on little fundamental things with them.”

Wilburn hired by Tigers

Blanche Ely has hired Carl Wilburn as its new football coach succeeding Nakia Jenkins, who resigned in January after two years with the program.

Wilburn, 51, who has coached 27 years in Broward County, has been a head coach at Northeast and Coconut Creek, in addition to serving as a defensive assistant at Miramar, Dillard and Blanche Ely.

Wilburn takes over a Tigers’ program that finished 2-9 under Jenkins and fell in the Class 7A regional quarterfinals. Blanche Ely has reached the postseason 16 of the last 18 seasons, highlighted by a Class 5A state championship in 2002.

“There’s a lot of pride in that community,” Wilburn said. “I think that was the biggest thing to draw me. We have to work harder than anyone else.”

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

While Mother’s Day may be the best time to release this documentary, Look at Us Now, Mother! opens tomorrow in local theaters. With recent footage shot in Boca Raton, this film features writer/director Gayle Kirschenbaum’s strained relationship with her mother. Using family photos and Super 8mm home movies, one sees how similar mother and daughter Kirschenbaum really are. We learn that both generations of Kirschenbaums have fiery tempers. There are skeletons in the family closet that are exhumed during the course of this documentary.

Look at Us Now, Mother! is a documentary about forgiveness, and Gayle Kirschenbaum succeeds with her thesis. Through the fights and catty remarks, this film provides humor about family foibles.

The mysterious 10 Cloverfield Lane opened last week, exceeding box office expectations. Categorized as a horror movie, this film places emphasis on three characters with varied motivations.

Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) breaks up with her boyfriend (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and drives into a car accident. When she awakes, she has received medical care from Howard (John Goodman), a man with personality quirks. Howard informs Michelle that they have a roommate, Emmett (John Gallagher), who also has an injury. Howard claims he is protecting his guests from the enemies outside his bunker.

Unpredictable is what 10 Cloverfield Lane is all about. Clichés and red herrings are hinted at, but the narrative meanders from scares to light comedy and some sweet moments involving some pathetic people.

This film is producer J.J. Abram’s follow up to Cloverfield, a monster movie he produced eight years ago. Abrams has created his own Twilight Zone anthology for the big screen under the auspices of Cloverfield. Hopefully, he won’t wait another eight years to reveal his next one.

Deerfield Beach

Feb. 29: Someone stole three electronic toothbrushes from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

March 1: A woman reported her trailer stolen at 1270 SW 9 Ave.

March 1: Someone entered a work vehicle parked at 1700 S. Powerline Rd. and stole a shop saw and wallet. The loss was estimated at $3,020.

March 1: A man reported his vehicle stolen from 1300 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

March 10: Property damage was reported at 2571 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

March 10: The suspect stole items from Target (3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach) valued at $559.96. Video surveillance was collected as evidence.

March 10: An unknown person stole a victim’s necklace at 3001 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd., valued at $500, while she was away at a medical facility.

Lighthouse Point

Feb. 28: Three staff payroll checks and $2,000 in cash were missing after someone entered through a rear window at a business located at 2831 Marina Circle.

Feb. 29: Two subjects were observed exchanging something outside of a store at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. A subject was confronted by an officer and found to have placed a Dust Destroyer compressed gas can in his pants.

March 1: A check in the amount of $1,360 was cashed fraudulently at 3550 N. Federal Hwy. The victim was contacted and said the check was still in her possession.

Stop Hunger Now feeds thousands at low cost

Dear Editor:

On Feb. 20, we had 248 volunteers at our church, the 1st Church of Coral Springs, to package 10,800 pouches of nutritional dry food meals to be shipped all over the world. We worked with the non-profit Stop Hunger Now (888-501-8440) to prepare the packages and get them shipped out to help feed hungry children. Each pouch feeds six children, so our 10,800 pouches will feed 64,800 starving children a meal today.

The entire process only took two hours – our church volunteers set up an assembly line – and each pouch of food only costs 29 cents! The pouches contain rice, soy, vitamins and minerals, and even a gravy packet.

I am writing to you to bring attention to the Stop Hunger Now program, and to make other churches, high schools and anyone interested aware that they can help stop hunger for a low cost.

John A. Mercurio

Deerfield Beach

$1 Pancakes at IHOP

Wednesday, March 17, during store hours

International House of Pancakes

516 S. Federal Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Wear any visible item of green clothing on St. Patrick’s Day (that’s today!) and get a $1 short stack of buttermilk pancakes at IHOP. Erin Go Bragh!

Kindergarten Round-up

Thursday, March 17, 8:30 a.m.

Quiet Waters Elementary School Cafeteria

4150 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

For parents whose kids will turn 5 on or before Sept. 1. Learn all about kindergarten, tour classrooms, enjoy performances and learn about the registration process. For information, call the school office at 754-322-8100, or visit www.quietwaters.browardschools.com.

Kids Day Off Camp

Friday, March 18, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Three locations with different activities:

• Bowling & Pizza — Constitution Park, 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. $30 per child. Call 954-429-1847.

• Pizza and Movie — Highlands Park, 511 NE 44 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33064. $20 per child. Call 954-480-9944.

• Bowling and Fun Day in the Park — Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW 2 St, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. $20 per child. Call 954-480-4481. (Must pre-register by phone (listed above) or visit www.deerfield-beach.com/registration.)

Florida Highwaymen Art Exhibition

Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sample-McDougald House

450 NE 10 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Art show and sale will be the largest ever gathering of the famous Florida Highwaymen artists, whose landscapes of wild Florida are a proud local heritage. Reception and preview on March 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. includes food and entertainment. Exhibit admission: $5. Reception tickets: $35. Call 954-691-5686 or search Facebook.com for “Sample-McDougald House”.

Boating Safety Course

Saturday, March 19, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Headquarters

Spanish River Park

3939 N Ocean Blvd.

Boca Raton, FL 33431

Get your required boating certificate or ID (for those under 28) and you may also get an insurance discount. Course covers boating safety, handling, navigation, Florida and federal regulations and much more. Free! Register at 561-391-3600 or email fso-pe@cgauxboca.org.

7^th Annual All People’s Day

Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kids Workshop, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Pompey Park

1101 NW 2 St.

Delray Beach, FL 33444

Music, food, dance, arts and items for sale. Prizes and raffles. Numerous kids activities, including arts and crafts, and mural painting. Free. For information, e-mail susan@allpeoplesday.org or call 561-495-9818.

Bean and Pepper Jamboree

Saturday, March 19, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Green Market Pompano Beach

Intersection of Flagler and NW 1 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Food, games, contexts, exhibitors, vendors, arts and crafts, chicken drop fundraiser, live entertainment and more. Sponsored by Florida Farm Bureau and Kiwanis. Visit www.browardfarmbureau.com or call 954-972-2525.

Tour the Historic Butler House

Saturday, March 19, 10 to 2 p.m.

Historic Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Donations welcome. Learn about the heritage of Deerfield Beach’s farming pioneers, including the Butlers.

Spring Festival and Egg-a-palooza

Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mizner Park Amphitheatre

590 Plaza Real

Boca Raton, FL 33432

Egg hunt, bunny scavenger hunt, food trucks, visit with Easter Bunny, entertainment, hat crafts, sand art, balloon and face painting, slide and obstacle course, rock climbing wall, and more. $7 per person; babies under 18 mos. free. Cash only. Free parking. Call Sandy at 954-596-5631 for information.

Mardi Gras Casino trip

Monday, March 21, 10 a.m. departure time

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

380 S. Federal Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

St. Ambrose Men’s Club trip to the Mardi Gras Casino. Bus transportation provided. Must have a Mardi Gras Casino Player’s Card, drivers license or passport. $15 per person includes bus, $5 free play and $3 food coupon. Call Jerry Mann, 954-856-6062.

Spring Break Dance Workshop

Tuesday, March 22 through Friday, March 25

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saldino Dance School

600 S. Federal Hwy., #201-4

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Ages 8 to 15: $45 for one day; $140 for 4 days. Ages 5 – 7 have a special workshop on Tuesday and Thursday only from 9 to 11 a.m.; $35 for one day, $55 for two days. For details, visit www.saladinodanceschool.com or call 561-251-8683.

Lunch & Learn

Wednesday, March 23, noon

Dubman Real Estate

1868 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

During your lunch break, why not feed your soul as well as your body? Take some time out of a busy workday to study a bit of Torah over a kosher lunch. Every Wednesday, over a delicious lunch,we take 45 minutes to explore relevant Jewish topics using ancient wisdom to guide us in a modern society. Skip the corporate lunch and have a real power lunch over torah and delicious kosher delicacies. Cost: donation. For more information, call 954-422-1735, www.chabaddeerfield.com.

Easter Egg Hunts and Events

Deerfield Beach

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt: Thursday, March 24, 8 p.m., Constitution Park, 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442.

Egg-Stravaganza Event: Friday, March 25, 6 p.m., Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW 2nd St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441.

Annual Easter Egg Run: Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m., Deerfield Beach Athletics Complex, 501 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441.

For more details on these city events, visit www.deerfield-beach.com/easterevents. All events are free, but bring your own basket for gathering eggs! For additional information on any of the listed events, please contact Constitution Park at 954-480-4494 or Pioneer Park at 954-480-4361.

Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to noon. Cross Community Church, 841 SE 2 Ct, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441.

Lighthouse Point

Easter Egg Hunt: Sunday, March 27, 1 p.m., Frank McDonough Park, 3500 NE 27 Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064. Ages 12 and under. Please call the Recreation Department for additional information, 954-784-3439.

Pompano Beach

Easter Celebration: Saturday, March, 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pompano Citi Centre, 1955 N. Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062. Scavenger hunt, free photo with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts, face painting, giveaways and more. Visit www.pompanociticentre.com.

Spring Fling and Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pompano Community Park – Four Fields Complex, 850 NE 18 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Egg hunts: 11:45 a.m. for 1 – 3 years old; Noon for ages 4 – 12. Bounce slides, arts and crafts, DJ and dancing, photo booth and other kid-friendly activities. Call 954-786-4111 for information.

It would seem that one could hardly find two more dissimilar days in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur is the most solemn day of the year. It is a day of soul-searching and repentance; the day on which we connect with the inviolable core of purity within us — with the self that remains forever unsullied by our failings and transgressions — to draw from it atonement for the past and resolve for the future. So it is only natural that Yom Kippur should be a day of unfettered spirituality, a day on which we transcend our very physicality in order to commune with our spiritual essence.

The Torah commands us to “afflict ourselves” on Yom Kippur — to deprive the body of food and drink and all physical pleasures. Yom Kippur is the day on which terrestrial man most resembles the celestial angel.

Purim, on the other hand, is the most physical day of the year. It is a day of feasting and drinking — the Talmud goes so far as to state that “a person is obligated to drink on Purim until he does not know the difference between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed be Mordechai.’”

As our sages explain, Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish body. There are festivals (such as Chanukah) that remember a time when the Jewish soul was threatened, when our enemies strove to uproot our faith and profane the sanctity of our lives; these are accordingly marked with “spiritual” observances (e.g. lighting the menorah, reciting the Hallel).

On Purim, however, it was the Jewish body that was saved. Haman did not plot to assimilate or paganize the Jews, but to physically destroy every Jewish man, woman and child on the face of the Earth. Purim is thus celebrated by reading the megillah, lavishing money on the poor, sending gifts of food to friends, eating a sumptuous meal and drinking oneself to “oblivion”.

On Yom Kippur, we fast and pray, on Purim we party. Yet the Zohar sees the two days as intrinsically similar, going so far as to interpret the name Yom haKippurim (as the Torah calls Yom Kippur) to mean that it is “a day like Purim” (yom k’purim)!

Yom Kippur is indeed “a day like Purim”: both are points in physical time that transcend the very laws of physical existence. Points at which we rise above the rational structure of reality and affirm our supra-rational bond with G-d — a bond not touched by the vicissitudes of mortal life, a bond as free of cause and motive as the free-falling lot.

But there is also a significant difference between these two days. On Yom Kippur, our transcendence is expressed by our disavowal of all trappings of physical life. But the very fact that these would “interfere” with the supra-existential nature of the day indicates that we are not utterly free of them. Thus, Yom Kippur is only “a day like Purim” (k’purim), for it achieves only a semblance of the essence of Purim.

The ultimate transcendence of materiality is achieved not by depriving the body and suppressing the physical self, but by transforming the physical into an instrument of the divine will.

So “Purim” is the day on which we are our most physical, and, at the same time, exhibit a self-abnegation to G-d that transcends all dictates and parameters of the physical-rational state — transcending even the axioms “cursed be Haman” and “blessed be Mordechai.”

Yom Kippur is the day that empowers the Jew to rise above the constraints of physicality and rationality. Purim is the day that empowers the Jew to live a physical life that is the vehicle for a supra-physical, supra-rational commitment to G-d.

Rabbi Tzvi Dechter is the Director of Chabad of North Broward Beaches. New location soon! For all upcoming events, please visit www.JewishLHP.com.

[Purim is coming up March 23-24!]

With a cascading flow of material and perfectly angled light and visuals, the BB&T Center was transformed for Toruk — the First Flight March 3-6. Based on the movie “Avatar”, the story revolves around two brothers who go on an epic journey to obtain tokens and save their world from disaster and retain their connection with their creator.

The characters, painted blue, climb, roll and jump, looking like monkeys, complete with tails, sometimes more like wildcats, as they majestically explore each new world that is created. Props move and morph serving multiple purposes, each transformation more surprising the next. They encounter “animals” and unfriendly tribes along their journey and must avoid falling rock as they climb for safety and row their way through calmer waters. All these transitions magically take place in the same space. There is a cacophony of action taking place around the floor space, up on the props and in the air. It truly is a feast for the eyes.

Much like an opera, the characters speak in a foreign Navi tongue, yet it is easy to understand the dialogue and one woman even sings like a melodic songbird with other worldly chants. A narrator speaks in English to bring along the tale.

This really is a wonderful experience for the whole family.

The show next will be playing at American Airlines Arena March 10-13. For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/toruk.

On March 7, Fareed Zakaria spoke at the Festival of the Arts in Boca Raton at Mizner Park. Zakaria, host of CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria’s GPS”, contributing editor at The Atlantic and columnist at “The Washington Post” spoke with optimism about the state of affairs in the world.

When he was 10 years old in India, he only had access to one channel filled with black and white documentaries touting the “glory of agriculture”. On Sunday, he might see a Bollywood movie. His only glimpse into American culture was watching shows like “I Love Lucy” and “Dallas.” Victoria Principal, he joked, was his American Dream. Little did he know then that he would not only come to America, but end up himself on the airwaves.

These days, it’s his job to analyze what is happening all over the world and understand global trends, something he spoke about in his speech. Today, he said, people are scared; they are sensing economic and even physical danger, or cultural threats. Although terrorism is a big issue, he said to put it into context, saying that after 9/11 the number of people killed by terrorists in the U.S. was 45, but the number of gun-related homicides equals 150,000.

“We live in a world of risks, a world of danger,” he said, saying we should react, but not overreact.

Regarding the issues in the Middle East, he noted catalysts being everything from economic stagnation to political repression, as well as the large amount of youth at this time in the area. Sixty-five percent of the Middle East, he said, is under the age of 30. This youth bubble, he noted, has led to social upheaval in other areas and time periods, including before the French Revolution, the Iranian Revolution and here in the states before 1968.

Italy, he said, will look like Florida in five years. Fertility rates are low and they take few immigrants. We, on the other hand, take in more than one million immigrants, more than the rest of the world put together, and we assimilate them well.

He said that in the 1970s, a more puritanical version of Islam became globalized and groups that were unable to congregate and express dissent gathered in mosques. ISIS benefited from the collapse of Syria and Iraq and every time we left the rebuilding of nations to others it ended up with chaos and a “bloody mess.”

These are the issues that make the headlines, but, meanwhile, Latin America has seen transformations and Mexico, which is more middle class than most people think, has become more pro-American. Legal migration between America and Mexico is really zero, said Zakaria, because it has balanced out. There are as many people moving there as are moving here.

If you build a wall, you won’t solve problems, he said.

He says the xenophobia we have been going through is just a phase, something we have seen throughout history with the likes of Huey Long and McCarthyism. This, he said, is similar, and will pass. Americans will digest it and move on and, in the end, it may make us stronger, he said.

The American government works better than most people think, he said. We survived the recession better than other countries, for example. He noted that since the beginning people have felt that the country could crumble. In letters between Jefferson and Adams, even they were sure the Republic was on the verge of collapse just 10 years after the Revolution.