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From Kiev to Moscow, Odessa to Kishinev Purim is Celebrated
For many Jewish children in the former Soviet Union, Purim celebrations closely resemble a real-life fairytale. In Moscow, dozens of little ones are escorted each year by their parents to the Nikitskaya Jewish Community Center (JCC), where a local art group transforms the Center into a magical Fairyland. Characters from the Purim story greet guests at the entrance, leading them to the Palace of King Achashverosh, engaging them in a reenactment of the famous story. "The children's favorite part was throwing tennis balls at a scarecrow depiction of Haman," observed one of the JCC staff. "And of course the sweets — 'Haman's ears' (hamantashen) — and the chirrrrrring of the ra'ashanim (noisemakers)." With costumes and cheer, the spirit of the holiday transcended the impressive decorations and skilled artistic performances: all young people who wished to attend could do so, as tickets for children in need who are beneficiaries of JDC's DSOS Children's Emergency Program were sponsored by fellow Community members.
This and other JDC-supported JCCs ensure that anyone wishing to celebrate the Purim festivities can do so. Individual clubs, from animation studios to Hebrew classes, host special activities for the holiday, offering food and camaraderie. And a collection of sweets, clothing, books and other items donated by the participants are then distributed to other institutions within the community, such as the Moscow Jewish Community House and an orphanage and children's home for non-Jewish children. Proceeds from a Purim concert organized by JDC with local partners at the International Music Chamber Hall in Moscow also went to benefit children in need. Leading musicians of the Moscow State Philharmonic Society, among others, performed in a series of such concerts dedicated to "Jewish Holidays in the Red Hills." Efim Alexandrov, Yiddish singer and author of the project "Songs of the Shtetl" heralded last year's concert as a huge success. "I haven’t seen such a wonderful event for a long time. I really enjoyed participating, as well as listening to classical music that even had musical humor." For others, the New Jewish Community House, NEOD, as the venue of choice for a celebration that targeted Jews of all ages. What began as a Center with some five families has turned into a booming gathering place, hosting more than 100 people for each holiday. Vanya, a 7-year-old who regularly participates in Jewish activities, said "Soon NEOD will have to rebuild its walls into elastic ones to let everyone who wants to participate to be able to get in!" In Kiev, Ukraine, gala Purim events take place in the heart of the city at the Central Circus. Children's groups perform dances and songs which they rehearse together for weeks. Last year, clowns and jugglers entertained a crowd of 2,000 people, including myriad children dressed in costumes that had been hand-sewn by their parents. "Tzedakah money was used to purchase nice fabric, and parents and teachers made them into wonderful clothing for the children using a sewing machine in the Beitenu family center," said Lina, one of the volunteers. Nelya, the Center's Musical Director, composed a song expressly for this grand performance. "Hundreds of people came up to us afterwards and said how moving and joyous the celebration was," Lina added. "This is the most festive holiday!" 
Meanwhile, at the Gan-Chamash Jewish kindergarten and primary school, the youngest generation is being helped by JDC to reconnect with their Jewish roots, nearly lost during decades of Communism. Young Anya, 10, was the star of the school's Purim spiel last year, making a guest appearance as Queen Esther. Born with a spine hernia, the 4th grader can barely walk. But rather than enduring the social ostracism that she would likely encounter in the public school system, Anya is the favorite of all of the students at Gan-Chamash; "everybody just loves her," explains one of the teachers. She performed, sang and danced as though she hadn't a care in the world. In fact, Anya is among JDC's caseload for its Children's SOS Emergency Fund; she received a massage table so that she could receive needed health treatments, and a washing machine to help her family provide her with clean clothes despite overwhelming medical bills. Purim-related puppet shows, with materials painted and drawn by children in the JDC-supported Mazel Tov program, engaged toddlers, grade school kids, and parents in Odessa. And in Kerch, guests visit the oldest among the JDC-supported Hesed social welfare clients in honor of the holiday. Masha, 101 years of age, shared with Hesed staff and volunteers the memories she has of celebrating Purim with her family as a young girl. "We brought sholokhmones (baskets of food) with the obligatory 'Haman's ears" pastries to our relatives and neighbors; it was a joyous occasion and we looked forward to it each year," she shares. Festivities and dramatic presentations, concerts and educational workshops across the FSU, from Odessa to Kishinev, lure tens of thousands of Jews of all ages to celebrate the victory of the Jewish people over the threat of destruction in the Persian Empire. "No matter where a Jew lives, he knows and honors the names of Mordechai and Esther, who devised a miraculous escape for the Jews from impending harm," said a leader of the Jewish community of Tashkent. "The story teaches us an important lesson not to forget this threat, and to be united and observe the laws of the Torah," she adds. In Uzbekistan, where Jews are committed to keeping their tradition and fostering good relations with the Muslim plurality among whom they live, the animated singing of Jewish tunes by a dynamic choir leaves the audience inspired year after year. In Chernigov, where the Jewish community has extended great efforts to incorporate their non-Jewish neighbors into the holiday events, the first Citywide Festival of Jewish Culture was held in celebration of esteemed author, Sholom Aleichem. The festival, which took place from March 20th-27th of last year, was attended by Head of the City Cultural Administration, the Mayor of Chernigov, and widely covered by the secular meida. Different performances based on Sholom-Aleichem’s novels were performed throughout the week, culminating in a huge concert at the Chernigov Regional Academic Musical-Drama Theatre. JDC's Jewish renewal efforts in the FSU are particularly highlighted during the holidays, when infants and senior citizens alike come together to honor their connection to the Jewish tradition through celebratory activities. Nadia, a 4-year-old who attended a Purim puppet show at her local JCC, is testament to the impact of small and large community gatherings. Chewing on a Hamantashen, she tapped her mother on the shoulder. "Mama, when is the next Jewish holiday? I want it to be every day!" March 2006 |
