Rabbi’s Weekly Message & Emanumail

From Jackie Kurland

When I lived in Israel for a year, I developed a new appreciation for the holiday of Purim. The festivities seemed endless, spanning from the vibrant streets of Tel Aviv to the classrooms of every school. I vividly remember the students I volunteered with, all dressed up, many as Queen Esther, and the school assembly alive with Purim songs and dance. In Israel, Jewish holidays like Purim permeate every aspect of society, from restaurants to schools, stores, and the media. I had countless costumes that year for all sorts of Purim events, and I loved experiencing the fun of the holiday everywhere.

While our celebrations are a little different here than in Israel, the Purim season has everyone excited for many reasons. Whether it’s the hamantaschen, costumes, silly spiels, noise makers, mishloach manot, giving to those in need, or the story itself, we can all find some aspect of the holiday that brings us hope and gives us cause to rejoice.