Kiev Celebrates A Victorian Purim

Kiev community members gathered at The Grand Hall in Regent Hill in Kiev, Ukraine, to celebrate Purim at the annual Purim Party, set in Victorian England in the 1800’s and hosted by R. Raphael and Devorah Rutman.

The main ballroom glowed with lanterns and soft lighting, designed to set the stage for a Victorian party in England. Guests arrived elegantly attired in their choice of period costume. Diplomats, public figures, dignitaries and representatives from the local and international business communities, as well as Rabbis and Shluchim from different cities in Ukraine, all joined together in full costume to sing, dance and have fun, and, most importantly, to fulfill all four mitzvos of the day.

The evening began with a megillah reading, using a unique, one of a kind illustrated Megillah by a famous American artist, generously on loan by one of the local members of the Jewish community for the occasion, along with a special Hollywood film production telling over the complete story of Purim for the children to watch. After ritual hand washing to fulfill the second mitzvah of the day, the festive meal, the guests proceeded into the main ballroom to find their places. Once the guests had been seated, they were ready to fulfill the third mitzvah of the day: before starting their meal, everyone was instructed to take pick up their Victorian appetizer box, which had been specially designed with at least 2 separate brachot.

Each guest was then requested to “gift” their neighbor with their box and receive their friend’s in return, thereby fulfilling the mitzvah of mishloach manot, gifts of food to a friend. In keeping with tradition, the host went around the table greeting and introducing all the guests in all their different costumes, to the amusement of all the guests. After the introductions, everyone stood for a special prayer service led by R. Yossi Glick, head of Tzivos Hashem youth movement in Ukraine, for the safety and wellbeing of all the Jews around the world, and in particular in Israel, during these difficult times, as well as a Dvar Torah by R. Mayer Stambler, president of The Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine from Dnipro, Ukraine.

The Ambassador of Israel to Ukraine, Ambassador R. Joel Lion, also addressed the crowd, as did Israeli Member of Knesset and Minister for Social Equality, Gila Gamliel, who attended the evening with her husband and children. For the fourth and last mitzvah of the day, R. Yossi Glick made an appeal to raise money for the Jewish Orphanages in Ukraine. Everyone opened their pockets to give what they could to their young Jewish brothers and sisters in need.

The participants enjoyed a five course meal as well as separate adults’ and childrens’ programs, with the evening filled with singing, dancing, merriment, entertainment and shows.

The highlight was, of course, the annual Purim’s Got Talent Costume Competition, with each and every guest invited to walk down the red carpet while the judges, all well-known local celebrities, including 2 judges from the official Ukraine’s Got Talent Show, scored their costumes.

1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in both Children’s and Adult’s Divisions were chosen, with every single child receiving a prize – a beautiful Victorian doll for the girls and an a Vintage toy car for the boys – and all winners receiving beautiful and regal crowns, each presented on a keepsake pillow.

The party continued until late, with the guests reluctant to leave as Kiev celebrated Purim in true Victorian style.