This year’s Purim was very different.
The children’s Groggers and noise makers had to compete with sirens blaring and the explosions of the Iron Dome intercepting drones and missiles from Iran (Thank G-d, Thank G-d, Thank G-d.)
Instead of listening to the Megillah in our synagogues, many of us huddled together in shelters, doing our best to focus as the story of Purim was read. And our festive Purim meals were often shared with neighbors in those same shelters.
The Megillah tells us V’Nahopoch Hu: Everything is turned upside down on Purim…
This year, Purim truly lived up to its name.
While the children weren't running through the streets in their Purim costumes delivering Mishloach Manos and making merry…
…We were.
After years of experience during previous wars, we were able to “turn on a dime” and bring the joy of Purim to hundreds of terror victims and thousands of IDF soldiers - even during this war.
Together with hundreds of our volunteers, we went from house to house, shelter to shelter, hospital to hospital, and to as many army bases as the IDF allowed, delivering Mishloach Manos and the joy of Purim.
No, we weren’t able to reach as many people as we normally do. No, we couldn’t have any big Purim celebrations.
Yet, one thing this Purim was greater than anything we’ve experienced previously:
The Response…
…From people in the shelters, in their homes, hospitals, and army bases.
Hugs, kisses, and thanks greeted us everywhere we went. The smiles on children’s faces when we handed out gifts at the shelters moved us deeply. Even though it was Purim, many of us left with tears in our eyes.
And the messages of thanks we continue to receive after Purim are overwhelming.
We would like to share a letter we received after Purim. It was written by the Keinan T. family. Twenty-year-old Keinan was murdered on December 5, 2005, while waiting for a friend outside a mall in Netanya.
On that day, a Palestinian terrorist killed five innocent people and injured dozens. For the past 20 years, with your help, we have been helping and standing by the T. family in every way possible - as we did this past Purim.
The gratitude expressed in the letter belongs to you because you make everything we do possible. Thank you.
Dear Chabad Representative,
You came to our home on behalf of Chabad with a Mishloach Manot for a bereaved family.
But together with it, you brought much more than pastries and sweets.
You brought light.
You brought an open heart.
You brought the feeling that we are not alone.
In a place where memory is ever-present and the heart carries daily pain, a small act of attention becomes a great gift — a warm embrace.
Thank you for choosing to remember.
Thank you for choosing to come.
Thank you for the sensitivity, the respect, and the humanity, even in these turbulent days of war.
May you continue to be messengers of light and comfort, strengthening hearts with love and care.
With appreciation and blessings,
The T. Family
The parents: Shmuel and Mazal, and the brothers of Keinan Hy”d, who was murdered in a terror attack: Lior and Ohad
As the war rages on, please keep the soldiers and all the people of Israel in your prayers. We pray and hope that this war, and all wars, should soon come to an end, and true peace will reign in Israel and throughout the world.
We hope and pray that by Pesach, this war will be long over, but no one really knows. Either way, we will be there to support the families of terror victims and soldiers who need us…
…and we need you.
Please continue your partnership and support of CTVP to help ensure they all have everything they need to celebrate Pesach with joy and dignity.
Thank you.
