Purim Megillah reading with families displaced by Gaza war at Jerusalem's Theatron Hotel; special guest: President Isaac Herzog
(Video: Alex Gamburg)
As the war rages on, tens of thousands of Israelis still celebrate Purim away from home this year. The Theatron Hotel in Jerusalem hosted a special evening on Sunday with displaced Israelis from the south and north, organized by the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization.
Among them are residents of Kiryat Shmona and Sderot. While usually celebrating Purim on the 14th of Adar, the war brought them to Jerusalem where they celebrate Shushan Purim on the 15th.
In light of the prolonged war, the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization and the Yahad initiative from the Ohr Torah Stone organized Purim Megilah readings at various locations across the country, including hotels for evacuees, IDF bases and more. A megillah reading also took place at the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday night.
Rabbi David Stav, chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, stated, "It's important to help anyone in need of our care. We embrace the families of the kidnapped, we rejoice with the wounded, and we try to give hope to the bereaved families. We'll make every effort so that the joy isn't confined within us but directed to everyone around us who needs our help."
President and head of the Ohr Torah Stone network, Rabbi Dr. Katriel Brander, added, "This year, we come to the Purim holiday after months of hard fighting and heavy losses, where many Israelis are reattached from their homes, but also with an understanding of the power of unity. The Book of Esther reading, part of all our stories, allows us to gather - in synagogues, hotels for evacuees, IDF bases, war zones, schools, and parks - and find strength and resilience in the holiday spirit, reminding us of the victory of faith against those who seek to destroy us."