Purim celebrations were meaningful and engaging for students and alumni of Emet Outreach. The simchah started at Queens College before the chag for members of the Emet Student Association (ESA) and the jHealth program.
Students gathered to pack mishloach manos for Holocaust survivors from the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC in Cedarhurst. While filling packages and hearing a presentation on the importance of chesed, everyone drafted personalized notes to their recipients. “It was really special for the students to give back to the community and do an act of chesed in the spirit of Purim,” said Alexandra Zarka, Emet mekareves. “When I delivered the mishloach manos to the survivors they were so touched and appreciative.”
Over in the Women’s Division there were three inspiring events. First up was an energized masquerade ball on Tuesday night at Congregation Beit El in Jamica Estates. Guests arrived wearing a dazzling display of creative costumes. Rabbi Mordechai Kraft, Emet Educational Director and Co-Founder, set the tone for the night with a d’var Torah, and there was an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of Matanos LaEvyonim. Miriam Rafialova, longtime friend and former student, served as MC. Guests enjoyed a delectable buffet, a photobooth, dancing and a costume contest. The next evening brought a carnival theme to the weekly learning at Step It Up in Congregation Machane Chodosh, where Mrs. Amit Yaghoubi gave a beautiful class about Purim. Part three of the women’s celebrations continued after Taanis Esther, when the Fendel family welcomed students to their Brooklyn home for a more intimate get-together and kumsitz that lasted till 1:30 in the morning. “All three of these events really ushered in Purim with so much simchah and kedushah,” said Ms. Adina Fendel, Women’s Director.
Not to be outdone on the men’s side, on Purim day Rabbi Michael Fuzaylov and his wife Dina hosted a Bukharian-style seudah in their Forest Hills home. There was a variety of guests including family, Emet couples and single students who enjoyed each other’s company while feasting on Bukharian delicacies like plof. Rabbi Fuzaylov shared a d’var Torah about Amalek and removing the doubt that Hashem really loves us. “It was amazing for us to celebrate with our family and Emet students who are like our family,” Rabbi Fuzaylov shared. “It was also incredible to see generations of students together: from current students to some of my earliest students who now came with their families.”
In the ultimate open house for the extended Emet family, Sara and Yiggy Benyamin welcomed over 90 guests to their annual seudah in Kew Gardens Hills. A highlight was Yiggy’s incredible Megillah reading. “We felt so much warmth and connection with our Emet family,” Sara B. said. “It was such a busy day with Erev Shabbos, but everyone still came and stayed. It was also amazing that my children were playing with children whose parents grew up with Emet. We can’t wait till next year, b’ezras Hashem.”
