A year ago today, we celebrated Purim in person. Yes, IN PERSON.
It was a wondrous day. The kids were parading. The puppets were present. Haman was blotted out. The adults tucked away for some Torah on Tap.
Then the pandemic struck (Haman’s resurgence?) and we shut down most in person activities at JCOGS.
Before Esther faced Haman and Achashveirosh to save the Jews, she fasted for three days. She asked her fellow Jews to join her in fasting. It was a time between. The fate of the Jews rested in her hands.
We are now living, as Esther did, in a time between. We can see that life returned to some semblance of ‘normal’ is indeed possible. But we are still far from that truth, with uncertainties ahead, and no less than our survival rests in our own hands.
Next year, as last year, may we be booing Haman in loud uproarious fashion, all together, IN PERSON. And sooner than that, too. We are now actively planning (even amidst the uncertainties) of what gatherings could look like in the spring and summer with JCOGS.
Until then, would you join me for a drink tonight? At 6pm, our Ritual Team presents “The Whole Megillah (in 12 minutes or less)”, plus Purim songs and handstands, and more merriment, followed by an abbreviated Shabbat service. Get the link here.
And then, this Sunday at 5pm there’s Modern Times Theater and their mastery of puppetry. They are H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S.!
Let’s make the most of this time between.
Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Purim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,
