Purim Activities at Or Hadash, and Helping Many Different Populations Through Tikkun Olam

Dear Friends,

Shabbat Shalom! I want to let you all know that despite my son Elior being in and out of the hospital last week following major surgery, he is now thankfully at home resting and recovering. Many of you may not know this, but Elior has aleady had 11 surgeries this year, but is now doing well,  and as always, we hope for the best.  I would like to thank all of you who reached out to us to send your well wishes.  It means a lot to us to have your friendship and support!

Right now I am on my way to a seminar in the North along with 40 participants, including Or Hadash President, Dr. Yuri Kilgerman; Temple Administrator, Ami Perelman; myself; and other board members and founders.  We are going to learn about ourselves and new ways to further enrich our services and prayer spiritually in the community. We have been excitedly talking about this for a long time, and I am glad to finally be able to go and experience this seminar. I will let you all know what we learned when we return.  In the meantime, I would like to share with you the many joyous events that took place at Or Hadash and in Haifa for the Purim holiday.

1) Purim with the Or Hadash Preschools

Last Friday, February 26th, 70 children from the Or Hadash Preschools were joined by their families to celebrate the Purim holiday at the synagogue.  It was great seeing all the children and their families all dressed up, and enjoying the fun.   The Preschools sang Purim songs together with the families, ate oznei Haman (Hamentaschen), and learned about the meaning of Purim.

2) Two Part Purim Community Celebration

On Saturday night Or Hadash celebrated our community wide Megillat Esther reading, and Purim celebration.  The first part of the evening was attended by 200 community children and their families, who showed off their costumes, helped read the Megillah, and sing songs. The second half was attended by 80 adults who also enthusiastically dressed in costume to match the spirit of the evening.

3) Purim Celebrations for Handicapped

On Sunday, February 28th, Or Hadash had a very special Purim celebration for handicapped adults in wheelchairs from the Neeman Association. This is very important for the community, because many people with wheelchairs do not have access to other synagogues, because they do not have a building that will accommodate people in need. On Monday night, February 29th, we had an additional celebration for handicapped adults and children, from within the community of Haifa and Israel’s North.

4) Purim Afternoon Activities and Pizza Party for 100 Ethiopian Immigrant Children

On Monday, February 29th, an afternoon of Purim activities, games, and pizza was also held at Or Hadash, for 80 Ethiopian immigrant children.  The event was organized, set up, and run by the Or Hadash Telem Youth Group. It was wonderful to see so many youth being active in the community, and giving back in a positive way, and of course to see the smiling faces of the children, as they had their faces painted, played games, and enjoyed an afternoon meal.

5) Purim at the Maagalim Preschool in Hadar, Haifa with the Or Hadash Sisterhood

An additional Purim celebration organized by the Or Hadash Sisterhood took place on Sunday afternoon, February 28th, with children of Russian immigrants and their families that are helped by the New Center for the Family, in Hadar, Haifa.  There, the sisterhood volunteers and myself spent time with the families, read the Megillah, sang songs, and ate Oznei Haman.

I would like to say a special thank you to our sisterhood president-Anat Perelman, and all of the volunteers for all they do to help immigrants through their Tikkun Olam projects, and hard work in the Haifa community.

Shabbat Shalom! Wishing you many happy days ahead in your own congregations and communities!
In Friendship, Edgar