Page 6 - The Jewish Voice - April '21

Page 6, The Jewish Voice

Local Happenings from page 5

Kol HaLev Has Fun Purim Party in Palm Beach Volunteers from

Despite Pandemic Gardens Alpert JFS, Kind Kitchen

At an outdoor Purim celebration in Boynton Beach, Esther Purim 2021 was celebrated in high style at Chabad of Deliver Meals for Purim
and the King gazed at each other longingly, but did not touch. Palm Beach Gardens, where they worked hard to ensure
It was, after all, a pandemic. that everyone was able to experience a meaningful Purim, Volunteers from Ferd &
Congregation Kol HaLev, a new non-denominational no matter what their comfort level. Gladys Alpert Jewish Family
Jewish outreach organization in Boynton Beach, celebrated Before the holiday, Rabbi Vigler delivered a Purim Crash Service and The Kind Kitchen
Purim last month with an outdoors, socially distanced Course on the shul’s YouTube Channel to clarify observance of Palm Beach joined forces
reenactment of the megillah. of the holiday according to the law. In addition, the shul sent to deliver hundreds of meals
The congregation’s last public event was Purim one year volunteers trained in reading the Megillah all over the city throughout Palm Beach County
ago, shortly after Kol HaLev opened its doors, but before the to read for people who weren’t comfortable leaving their for the Jewish holiday of Purim,
pandemic brought so many things to a halt. homes. Megillah readings took place in people’s homes and which commemorates the saving
Kol HaLev soon closed all live programming, but in backyard as well as at the shul every three hours, to ensure of the Jewish people living in
January they reopened for outdoor, socially distanced everyone was able to participate. Persia from extermination in
programs. They now offer services every other week, Though attendance was high with a hundred people the 5th century BCE. They
featuring musical services with Torah study, children’s’ attending on the first evening and even more on the second donned masks and gloves and
program, and a kiddush. evening of Purim, there was no crowding due to careful practiced social distancing,
Kol HaLev Founder Rabbi David Siff said the group planning. Readings were conducted simultaneously inside the safely delivering the food.
takes a creative approach to Jewish ritual, honing in on shul as well as outside. The masks that are always required The menu included fresh
what they see as the authentic core of Jewish practice in at Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens fit perfectly in with the challah rolls, gefilte fish with
a way that is participatory and meaningful. For Purim, masquerade theme of Purim — indeed, this was the first time horseradish and zesty coleslaw, pineapple chicken, kugel,
participants played the different roles from the megillah, that every single Purim attendee was wearing a Purim mask! vegetables, fresh hamantaschen (a triangular filled pocket
performing it as a script. A traditional feast was held in the shul’s pavilion on Purim cookie) in a Purim basket. The 81 meals that reached clients
“The megillah really is a script,” says Siff. “It was afternoon that flowed into a spirited Shabbos meal as the sun of Alpert JFS’ Holocaust Survivors Assistance program were
always meant to be performed. A lot of times people come softly set. funded through KAVOD, an organization that partners with
to synagogues, sit through Hebrew services they don’t Jewish family services and other organizations that work with
understand, and don’t have a spiritual and meaningful survivors, providing assistance with whatever emergency or
experience. We believe that Torah and Jewish prayer are day-to-day needs they have.
supposed to touch us deep in our core.” “We are so happy to once again be partnering with Kind
Kitchen to help our Holocaust survivors celebrate Purim and
ATTENTION READERS enjoy a delicious festive meal,” said Alpert JFS Long-Term Care
Director Jennifer Escobar. “Keeping up with holiday traditions
This Jewish Community newspaper is monthly are important, particularly during these challenging times.”
“Purim is a holiday for feasting and rejoicing,” said Alpert
direct mailed to 8,000 homes. JFS’ Director of Volunteer Leadership Belinda Lasky. “We are
Please support your Jewish businesses and newspaper by grateful to the volunteers for delivering meals so that community
advertising and sending your events and photos! members can celebrate traditionally.”
We appreciate your business. “On the jolly holiday of Purim, we continue the tradition
561-741-7770 of mishloach manot (gifts of food), as in the biblical Book of
Esther,” said Chani Ezagui of The Kind Kitchen. “We happily
ww.seabreezepublications.com share joy with our friends, family, and volunteer partners.”

Local Happenings on page 8