Hamantashen bring generations together for Community Purim Carnival

Sam Roquitte removes hamantashen from an oven at Temple Beth El. The treats will be available at Sunday's Purim Carnival (Kait Vosswinkel/Madison Commons)

The kitchens at Temple Beth El were bustling over the weekend, as volunteers baked over two thousand, triangular fruit-filled butter cookies, for Sunday’s Community Purim Carnival and bake sale.

Each year the Jewish community in Madison comes together to celebrate Purim, a festival that begins with the story of Esther, a biblical queen who defended her people and Jewish culture against violence and racism.

Children sit down with noisemakers, or groggers, in order to watch a musical and theatrical re-telling of the story, cheering on the efforts of the brave queen and heckling the loathsome and racist Haman, who wanted to destroy the Jewish community.Max Roquitte, right, and Ruth Roquitte prepare hamantaschen for Sunday's Purim Carnival at Temple Beth El (Kait Vosswinkel/Madison Commons)

After the storytelling, the carnival also features a bounce house, games and a bake sale featuring the home-made hamantashen, named after their villainous counterpart.

The Carnival is Sunday at Temple Beth El (2702 Arbor Drive) from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Susan Roquitte, the head baker and volunteer, offered her recipe for hamantashen and held a workshop in order to teach the technique.

“I enjoy baking, and it's kind of in my blood, so I thought it would be a nice thing to do for the community,” Roquitte said.

Roquitte learned to craft hamantashen in her parents' bakery in North Miami Beach, Fla., and today, she's passing on the tradition to her children. Roquitte explained that Purim is a particularly cross-generational celebration.

“Just like my boys, I was in the bakery, filling and pinching and filling and pinching to the wee hours after school,” Roquitte said. “It's really nice because even the youngest, littlest ones can put a little bit of jam on, and the older ones can help with the baking.”

After becoming active in Madison's Jewish community during college, Ellen Weismer, now the program director at the Jewish Federation of Madison, is also continuing the tradition with her children.

“I have two kids now that are very involved with the programs, so it's a lot of fun,” Weismer said. “Today it was just magical to see everyone come together to make these cookies.”

Purim is a celebration that brings together both many generations and many parts of Madison’s Jewish community. The carnival is funded through ticket and hamantashen sales, and organized by the Beth Israel Center, the Congregation Shaarei Shamayim, Gan HaYeled Preschool, the Jewish Federation of Madison, Madison Jewish Community Day School and Temple Beth El.

“For many holidays, each congregation has their own programming, but Purim happens to be one of the holidays where we come together. It's truly a community effort,” Weismer said.

She emphasized that everyone in Madison, young or old, near or far, are welcome to come and enjoy the festivities and share the special day with neighbors and friends.

“The Purim Carnival is open to the whole community, and even if they're not Jewish or not young, it's still a fun way to get involved and to learn about the holiday,” Weismer said.