Dear JCOGS family,
We live in a topsy turvy world. Two years ago, the day after Purim, we shut our JCOGS doors to the emerging pandemic. Three weeks ago, the Russian army invaded Ukraine.
There are many lessons of Purim, but one lesson rises above them all: we have personal agency and responsibility to save lives. When Moses said to God: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and free the Israelites from Egypt?” God responded: “I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:11-12). Moses had the assurance that God will support him. But Purim has a different story, where God is not mentioned once in the entire book (which is one of the reasons that the book almost didn’t make it into our canon).
When Queen Esther first refused to help save the Jews from Haman’s evil plot, Mordechai beseeches her, first calling on reason: “Do not imagine that you, of all the Jews, will escape with your life…” and then with motivation: “perhaps you have attained to royal position for just such a crisis.” Esther then embraces her personal agency and sense of responsibility, responding: “I shall go to the king, though it is contrary to the law; and if I am to perish, I shall perish!” (Esther 4:13-16)
There is a need right now and we have some agency to help. We cannot personally end the war ourselves, but the Ukrainian people need our support. One of the most critical needs right now is specific medical supplies, which are running out in Ukraine, while many can easily be found at our local pharmacies. We are doing a THREE DAY ONLY Purim collection for Ukrainians, in conjunction with a generous donation from Copley Hospital, all of which will be shipped to Ukrainians in need with the help of our members. In this way, JCOGS is fulfilling the Purim specific mitzvah of
matanot laevyonim, gifts for those in need.
Drop off at JCOGS can take place when you come to our Purim party tomorrow, or anytime until Sunday morning at 10am (at the latest) outside the JCOGS building in the box provided. Items include:
- Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Acetaminophen, antibacterial cream or triple antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, Band-Aids - all sizes, disposable gloves, plastic cling wrap, anti-diarrheal medicine, Hydrocortisone cream (1%), ACE bandages (4"), saline eye drops.
We tell the story of Queen Esther’s bravery every year because it makes a difference to bear witness to such courage, just as we have borne witness to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people standing up to Russian forces.
Tomorrow/Friday night at 6p.m., in person and online, we are reading from an actual Megillat Esther, the hand-scribed scroll that contains the story.
Our new and first-ever JCOGS Megillah was donated in memory of Michael Heitner z”l, an early and devoted member of JCOGS and lover of all things Vermont. In addition, the bodacious band
Brass Balagan is coming to play. Have you ever wanted to hear Shalom Aleichem played by 12 brass-instrument-wielding Vermonters? There will also be hamantaschen and a locally-grown Purim shpiel!
And this is also an opportunity to meet our new Director of Operations, Alison Kaminer, who will try to outdo me for the best costume of the night. Come meet Alison! And have a
l’chayim with your rabbi.
We are packing a lot into Purim, but most importantly, we must always use our personal agency to help save lives.
Tihiyu bri’im, be well. Purim Sameach! And Shalom Shabbat.
Rabbi David
