Earlier today, a wonderful tradition was upheld as the Megillah was read and Mishloach Manos shared at the White House. Organized for about a quarter century now by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, senior Shliach of the Rebbe to Washington, DC, and Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), this practice has spanned both Democrat and Republican administrations.
According to someone who participated, Rabbi Shemtov shared the Rebbe’s teaching that, “sometimes, like Mordechai, who was so great with the Jewish people, one is liked by most but not all of them. At the same time, he sought the best for his nation. So, too, we must always want the greater good, even though some of those who benefit may not agree with us.”
Purim celebrations and megillah readings also took place at the Pentagon, US Capitol, the Israeli Embassy, Georgetown and American Universities (GW is on spring break), as well as AIPAC, think tanks, East DC, even a local Kosher restaurant. Megillah readings were also offered hourly at TheSHUL of the Nation’s Capital at Chabad-Lubavitch Center, which hosted a massive Purim Celebration last night, and other locations around town.
People of all ages were excited to be together again after a nearly two-year hiatus due to the now nearly defunct Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to the Shluchim in Washington, two teams from Yeshivas Lubavitch in Baltimore, MD, as well as the now famous “French Bochurim” squad supported the broadened celebration of Purim in Washington, “Habirah”.
Go Levi W!