“The same days in which Jews enjoyed relief from their foes and the same month which had been transformed for them from one of grief to joy and from mourning to festival, they were to observe them as days of feasting and merry-making, and as an occasion for mishloach manot and matanot l’evyonim.” (Esther 9:22)
One of the best things about Purim is that even in the midst of dressing up, being silly, eating yummy hamantaschen an spreading joy, we are obligated to think of others. The mitzvot of Purim require us to eat a festive meal and hear the megillah while it also asks us to give gifts to our friends (mishloach manot) and to those in need (matanot l’evyonim).
Our students at the Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School are partnering with Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) to make their own tzedakah boxes or pushkes and collect funds to benefit those in need right here in Rhode Island. We are also working with our Afghan Welcoming Effort (AWE) right here at Temple Beth-El to collect food for our new neighbors who arrived not that long ago and are settling into a new life in our fair state.
We can’t help but also think of those in the Ukraine who are in need of our support to ensure their safety and well-being. The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) are taking action by raising funds to help individuals and communities in the Ukraine. You can also contribute through the Jewish Alliance's Ukraine Relief Fund. Please consider supporting their efforts so that you can make this Shabbat sweeter and fulfill the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim.
