03/17/2022 05:00:00 PM
While the whackiest holiday we have, Purim is also about a grave issue—saving the Jewish people. We may not be under threat from Haman (boo) today, but Jewish community and minor-holiday celebrations can sometimes struggle.
This week we did something fantastic together. We gathered a diverse group of Jews together to celebrate Purim. We started Sunday afternoon, a day I thought would completely fail when I saw the weather report, but ended with well over 100 participants from Beth Israel and Beth Emeth. Children and adults gathered together for games and a chance to “meet the characters in the Megillah.” The community mingled as the kids ran around the play-space at County Farm Park. Hamantashen crumbs were everywhere!
Last night, we welcomed Beth Israel into our sanctuary and filled the space more than it has been filled in years (#COVID). Adults and children came dressed-up and in their regular clothes to hear a wonderful Purim Schpiel (Thank you, Schpiel players), and then about 50 people stayed for the full Megillah reading. Members from Beth Israel and Beth Emeth chanted the ten chapters of the Megillah. This week was an extraordinary moment of Beth Emeth and Beth Israel coming together from inception through implementation. We celebrated as an Ann Arbor Jewish community. Thank you all for being with us!
This week I hope we started a tradition that will continue for many years to come. When we find ways of celebrating together as a diverse Jewish community, not even Haman can stop us!
