Congregation B’nai Israel of Greater Red Bank, 171 Ridge Road, Rumson, will hold a Purim carnival 5-7 p.m. March 12, followed by the comedy “The Viz” starring congregation members at 7 p.m.

A Purim event and megillah reading for individuals of all ages will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 13.

Shirey Shabbat will be held March 17 at 6:30 p.m. and will feature songs and stories.

A kosher wine-tasting event will be held March 18 at 8 p.m. The cost is $25 per couple and $15 per person by March 3, and $30 and $18, respectively, after March 3. Reservations are required.

For reservations or more information, call the temple at (732) 842-1800.

Event to raise funds for Emmanuel Foundation

The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation will hold its fifth annual charity ball March 4 at 7 p.m. at the Channel Club, Monmouth Beach.

The honoree will be Tim McLoone, founder and president of Holiday Express, whose most recent fundraising efforts were for the Gulf Coast hurricane victims.

The charity ball will include cocktails, dinner, auctions and dancing. Tickets are $100 per person.

For tickets or more information, call ECF at (732) 282-2324.

Area resident graduates from Firefighter I class

Mow Chu, Tinton Falls, recently graduated the Firefighter I class and received his Firefighter I certificate from the Monmouth County Fire Academy, Freehold.

Chu attended weekend classes from September-December and logged 135 hours of course work. He received training in rescue, fire extinguishment, hazardous materials response, CPR, electrical safety and care of hoses and other equipment.

Literacy Fund’s wine tasting March 11

Susan’s Story — The Susan M. Hopkins-DiMeo Literacy Fund will hold its second annual wine tasting March 11 at 7 p.m. at Colts Neck Firehouse No. 2, Conover Road.

The event will feature various wines, hors d’oeuvres, a gift auction and jazz performed by the Gina Foxx Band. Tickets are $75 each. Proceeds benefit the Literacy Fund, which makes grants to organizations that emphasize literacy programs.

For more information, go to www.susansstory.com or send an e-mail to bdimeo@aol.com.

Breakfast at Oceanport UMC March 11

Oceanport United Methodist Church (UMC), 50 Main St., will hold a pancake breakfast March 11 from 8-10 a.m. (snow date March 18). The menu will consist of pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, tea and orange juice. Tickets are $5 at the door and $4 in advance. For more information, call the church at (732) 544-9028.

Hospice orientation class March 14, 15

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of New Jersey Shore, 1 Meridian Road, Eatontown, will hold a volunteer orientation class March 14 and 15 from 6-9 p.m. (administrative only volunteers must attend March 14, and all other volunteers March 14 and 15).

After completing training, volunteers may visit private homes or nursing homes to provide respite for caregivers, offer companionship to terminally ill patients and families, or run errands.

For a reservation for the class or more information, call Etta at (732) 389-0066.