Purim was unreal

What a night.

Purim Eve felt like the kind of evening that reminds us why we gather in the first place.

Together we booed Haman out of town during the megillah reading, made 100 sandwiches for the NY Common Pantry, assembled DIY mishloach manot and handed them straight into the hands of friends, and watched the room transform into something joyful and slightly magical. The Glittering Court bedazzling station left half the community shimmering. The Royal Portrait Studio captured moments we can’t wait to see when the film is developed.

And then there was the spiel — a Fiddler-inspired masterpiece that we suspect will live in communal legend (who will ever forget Vashti appearing as Fruma-Sarah from beyond the grave?).

There was feasting — sushi, hamantaschen, homemade ziti — and yes, that brandy. There was dancing to late 90s R&B and laughter that seemed to echo off the walls long after the music stopped.

Looking around the room, seeing friends and neighbors shoulder-to-shoulder, costumes glittering and voices rising together, we found ourselves asking: is there a better way to celebrate Purim than this? We’re not convinced.

Purim is the holiday where joy becomes a kind of courage. We send gifts of sweetness to one another. We care for those in need. We gather, even when the world feels uncertain. That spirit felt especially present this year.

And on a different note, we know many of us are following the news coming out of the Middle East. Please know that we are here for you if you want to talk. We are especially keeping in mind those who have family in the line of fire in Israel (as Dimitry does) and across the region. 

Thank you for being the kind of community that can hold all of this at once: celebration and care, laughter and concern, sandwiches and sparkle. It is a privilege to build this with you.