Shabbat Shalom ~ Purim 2025

Dear WJC Family,

Happy Purim!!! On this holiday it is a mitzvah to feel joy. If that feels like a challenge to you at this moment, I definitely understand. Luckily, Mordechai predicted your dilemma 2500 years ago when he wrote chapter 9 of Megillat Esther. And why shouldn’t he understand our dilemma? Like us, he was living as a Jew in a land that was mostly welcoming and accepting of Jews. After all, the King took a Jew, Esther, to be his wife and Mordechai is a notable member of the King’s court, and eventually viceroy of Persia. And yet, much to his surprise, and to the surprise of most Persians, a few Antisemites were able to cause a near annihilation of the Jews there.

Mordechai knew that as Jews living in the diaspora there would always be uncertainty and insecurity. Sometimes it is just a niggling feeling moving in the shadows of our peripheral vision and sometimes it is right in our faces, but Antisemitism seems to follow us everywhere we go. Mordechai understood this, and so he gave us four secret keys to finding joy even in pressured times. Not only that, they are good for times other than Purim too – a toolbox for joy! To learn more about them, check out my weekly Torah Talk Video below.

 

Vote Mercaz!!! One thing we should always be happy about is our right to vote – and you may not even know it, but you have a vote in an election going on right now. The election of the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC) has begun. The balance of power in the WZC helps decide the future and direction of the State of Israel by allocating more than 1 billion dollars from around the world in Israel. By voting Mercaz you can help ensure that pluralistic, egalitarian Judaism has its place in Israel, that families of hostages receive support, and that the Israel we experience continues to reflect the values of democracy and equality we hold so dear. Vote today by clicking here to register (there is a $5 fee). Once registered you will receive a pin# which you can use to vote. This may be the most important thing you do for the future of Israel today, this week, or even this year. It actually makes a difference on the ground. So please don’t delay – vote Mercaz (slate 17) now by clicking here!

 

A few more sources of joy to get us in the mood: 

1. The Religious School and WJC Sisterhood spearheaded an effort to collect seder plates and mezuzot for victims of the LA wild fires. Aleza Kulp, who coordinated the effort, received the nicest thank you note that we can all be proud about:

I received two boxes from Mamaroneck! Nothing broke and it’s a truly wonderful collection: the Seder plates and other passover items are exactly what we need, and some of the mezuzot even had kosher klafs with them, which saves us a bunch of trouble on our end. Some lovely kiddush cups too.

Thank you thank you thank you Westchester Jewish Center! Big distribution event on March 23rd – can’t wait to see these items go home with families who need them.

Grateful to you all,

Rachel

 

     2. The Purim Spiel is this Sunday at 7pm (evening minyan will be at 6:30). Come see the clergy schtik it up and try not to make fools of ourselves – but even if we do it’s all in good fun. Our super talented expanded roster of spielmeisters and performers have been rehearsing for months – come enjoy, laugh, and wonder if the rabbinic giants upon whose shoulders I stand are weeping to see us like this. (well that’s what I wonder about 😉 )

 

3. Need wine for Passover – those four cups aren’t going to pour themselves! Do it with a mitzvah through our partners at Project24Israel! Order wine from their It’s a Date website. You’ll support Israeli wine makers, but that’s not all. Your purchase will go towards buying a date night for a soldier who’s been away on reserve duty often for months. They will get a voucher to take a significant other of their choosing to dinner. But that’s not all – the vouchers are good at restaurants that are struggling because of the situation and can use the business. It is what Daniel, Project 24’s founder calls a Wine-Wine scenario! Enjoy the wine and the bonus mitzvahs!

 

This Shabbat should be a lovely one at WJC – Friday night we have regular services and also a special service for the Gimmel Class Siddur Celebration. Then in the morning we have a Simple & Soulful service with a bat mitzvah! Mazal Tov to Leela Mandel and to her parents Mia and Ron.

Wishing you all a very Happy Purim full of lots of mitzvot and many reasons to be joyful.

See you in shul,

RJA