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14.3.2010
Reading the Scroll of Esther ("megillah") at Kibbutzim and other Towns and Villages in the Gaza Belt Area.
As part of the "Jewish Perspective" project, which seeks to draw people who are not religiously observant closer to Jewish tradition, we gained this year the unique experience of reading the Scroll of Esther in the spirit of Jewish tradition at 11 kibbutzim and moshavim in the south (Ruhama, Dorot, Bror Hayil, Kibbutz Erez, Or HaNer, Ohad, Tsohar, Kerem Shalom, Nir Yitzhak, Urim and Talmei Yosef). In most cases this was the first time that the Scroll of Esther was read in public in the history of these towns and villages.
Hundreds of men, women and children participated in this reading of the Scroll of Esther ("Megillah") and some came in fancy dress and they received a Scroll of Esther and traditional Purim gifts.
The reactions here were very thrilling and many participants asked us to promise now that the Scroll of Esther would be read next year too.
Purim carnival
The youth from Sderot who participate in the "Young Leadership" project planned and ran a Purim carnival for the children of Sderot on the eve of the festival. The carnival included stalls for games and competitions, an area where pitta bread was baked, giant dolls, face painting and similar activities. More than 100 children attended the carnival and later the parents talked about how the carnival worked wonderfully and praised the work of the youth, and the time they spent to ensure the success of the event was clearly evident.
A Purim party for the handicapped community in Sderot
A Purim party was held for the members of the handicapped community in Sderot as the Purim holiday drew to a close. The members of this community suffer from problems associated with physical disabilities and some even have mental disorders.
This evening was organized as part of the ongoing regular activities held every week for the members of this community and their families at the Keshet Club for the Disabled.
The evening`s celebrations were accompanied by a band, and a sumptuous supper was served all to the delight of the participants.
As customary on every holiday, amusing activities for the children of Sderot and its environs were held on Shushan Purim at the Jamboree and the children enjoyed themselves at the site`s plentiful installations and games.
Preparations for Passover (Pesach)
As the Passover holiday approaches the senior staff operates a center dedicated to the topic of "Pesach and Redemption".
At this center individuals will experience for the first time the baking of Matzah ("unleavened bread") according to Jewish religious law thereby enabling them to eat on the Seder night (at the traditional evening meal on the first night of the holiday) Matzah made with their own hands. They will also learn about the story of the Exodus in an experiential and enjoyable manner, while dealing with the concept of redemption and the people of Israel, and similar topics.
Approximately two thousand people are expected to attend the center, including new and long-standing immigrants, adults and children, religious and secular individuals from Sderot and Netivot as well as from kibbutzim in the area, as listed in the following table:
A holiday camp to assist working mothers
The days before the Passover holiday are full of laborious work in cleaning and making preparations for the festival while at the same time the children are on vacation from kindergartens and schools. To make life somewhat easier for the mothers and in response to requests from families, the fun jamboree holds special holiday activities for about 100 children during the week before the Pesach festival. At this holiday camp the children can enjoy creative exercises, diverse activities and needless to say, play at the Jamboree`s installations.
"Kimha de Pascha"
This year too we are interested in distributing "Passover alms for the poor" ("Kimha de Pascha") for the residents of Sderot who lack the means to buy all the essential items for the festival. We would like to prepare a basket for the festival with foodstuffs valued at 70$ and we would appreciate donations and any possible assistance.
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