It was a meaningful and majestic Purim for the Women’s and Men’s Divisions at Emet. On the Sunday before the chag, the women enjoyed an energized evening at the BCC Bukharian Center that intertwined Torah and a masquerade ball. 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. It was clear that this was no ordinary Purim party when three student leaders led the group in a musical kumzitz. “What was so unusual about this was that the girls came out to dance, but we elevated the night on a holy note. We joined in a semi-circle, and I spoke about the power of tefillah on Purim and how unique we are as Klal Yisroel that even at a fun celebration we can step back and connect with Hashem. We sang Tehillim together and everyone was deeply inspired,” said Ms. Adina Fendel Emet Women’s Director. DJ Amnon then pumped up the music and event segued into a costume contest and spirited dancing.
Part two of the women’s celebrations continued after Ta’anit Esther, when the Fendel family welcomed students to their Brooklyn home for a more intimate get-together and another kumzitz. “We really celebrated the importance of tefillah on both evenings and Rebbetzin Ivy Kalazan shared her perspective on the second night. It was a beautiful way to start Purim together. We felt like we were dancing and singing to serve Hashem,” Ms. Fendel shared.
Over on the men’s side, on Purim day Rabbi Michael Fuzaylov and his wife Dina opened their Forest Hills home for a Bukharian-style seudah. There were 37 guests including family, Emet couples and single students. A feeling of real simcha was shared as everyone enjoyed each other’s company while feasting on Bukharian delicacies like plof. “It was amazing for us to celebrate with our family and Emet students who are like our family,” Rabbi Fuzaylov said. “For many of our students this was their first Purim seudah in a family home and they loved it. It was also incredible to me that one of my early Emet students came with his family and our children were now celebrating the holiday together.”
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Emet Shares Simchat Purim
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