By COLlive reporter
Dozens of volunteers spread out across Westchester County, NY on Purim, to read the Megillah at over 130 locations where Jewish residents are currently in quarantine.
Organized by Chabad of Westchester County, located in New Rochelle, the epicenter of New York’s coronavirus outbreak, groups of bochurim and men were sent to read the Megillah and bring Purim joy to those in quarantine.
Fear of the spread of the coronavirus — 82 people have been infected in Westchester County, had upended Purim plans in the entire area, with Megillah readings and events canceled.
Shlucha Rochel Butman coordinated dozens of volunteers to fan out across the area to make sure anyone who needed would be able to fulfill the Mitzvah of Megillah from their homes.
Working with medical professionals, they devised a set of guidelines for volunteers to make sure they stay safe and protected while doing this Mitzvah.
All volunteer readers remained outside of the home of the quarantined individuals and maintained a distance of 10-15 feet.
Residents were grateful and moved by the volunteer bochurim who took the time to visit and help them fulfill the Mitzvah, many times ending with a festive Purim dance to liven the streets.
“I have never cried during the opening brachos of Megillas Esther before,” Gary Berger, one of the quarantined residents wrote on Facebook. “Overwhelmed with emotions, we are eternally grateful to Chabad of Westchester for pulling off the miracle of having individual readings on hundreds of patios and lawns across New Rochelle.
“May the Zechus of this amazing Mitzvah lead to a complete Refuah shelaima for all of our friends and families.”
“These Chabad boys are amazing! They stopped some people of our street, who they thought were Jewish, unaffiliated, and offered to read to them. They said yes!” another one wrote.
“I just want to let you, Chabad and the community know that we just received a call from our Irish Catholic neighbors. They called to tell us how inspired they were last night by the Chabad boys. (They could hear it from their window at 11:30 pm.) The wife told us she started to cry when she saw and heard it and how amazing our community is and how nice it was,” another wrote.
What a kiddush Hashem and kiddush Lubavitch!!
May the aiberster send a refuah shleima to all those in need!
מעט אור!!!!!!!
ונזכה במהרה לאורו
The best Chabad ever!!!
Amazing Amazing Amazing!!!
Shlucha of the Year!!!
The situation is touching and what the bochurim did is touching. Bless the
Jewish people in their achdus. Yasher koach to all involved for their big effort.
GO TZEMACH! HERE IN CROWN HEIGHTS WE ARE SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU! HAPPY SHUSHAN PURIM:)
Proud Bubby!!
The Rebbe’s army is unbeatable!
Thank you for arranging this!!!
Thank you to all bochurim from Westchester yeshiva and their staff who made this possible!
amazing!!!!!!