Purim from the Downside Up

By Esther R

What was your theme for Purim this year? I’ve seen Purim in the Wild West, Purim under the Sea, Purim in the Palace and many more of that kind. But have you ever heard of Purim on Rikers Island!?!?

No, we didn’t all dress up in orange jumpsuits. But my friend did wear a shirt with the song “Just set me Free” by DeScribe written all over it.

That’s incredible! And when the Rebbe said that he doesn’t get tired, standing for hours giving dollars, because it’s like counting diamonds, this is what he meant. This is seeing the sparkling diamond shining through.There were many people like Sam in the room, who enjoyed the beautiful and joyous program.

Who doesn’t feel uplifted when they dance? And especially on Purim! We had Mendi Gadasi play the keyboard, and the crowd was pumping their arms, and swinging their feet. Everyone got involved. Either you were dancing, or you got schlepped in to dance. For those that had any sort of physical disability, they were pushed into the middle, and everyone danced around them.

Mivtzoyim on Purim without megillah is not Purim, so of course we had someone lien for everyone. Let’s just add, the gragger cheering this year was inexplicably louder. Our friends had the opportunity of doing Matanas La’evyonim, and of course Mishloach Manos. The mitzvah is always fun as you switch and swap again, so that your neighbor’s friend, who sits across from you, can anoint you as his shliach, so that you can give it back to him, so that now with the elevated status, he can give it to his friend, who in turn gives it to his neighbor, and in the end returns it back to you, because he liked the other juice box better. And the mitzvah is now complete! During the switch ‘n swap, the background noise was uplifted with sweet and melodious tunes. We were lucky to have Grigori Gontmacher display his gift of music through his violin.

And now! What we’ve all been waiting for. Seudas Yom Tov! There was a lavish feast set up, with warm hot dogs, buns, salads, dips, snacks, drinks and more! The familiar taste of kosher delicacies, in a place called prison is an unmatched experience. While everyone enjoyed, Dr. S. put on a marvelous magic show. Interactive and enjoyable, we gave these yidden a short window in time of being outside the confines of the prison mentality. Speaking of being outside prison, someone came up to me and said, “For a few hours, I felt like I was not in prison. Everyone was dressed up, everyone was happy, dancing, and uplifted!” My friends, this is the power of what the Rebbe’s chassidim are capable of. That was gold!

As we were packing up to go, there was a quick Torah reading of Parshas Zachor, and those that needed it most, were presented with an aliyah. A quick Mincha followed. There was a fellow yid who is in the year of aveilus for his mother. He never said kaddish for her. He doesn’t know how. As his fellow inmates were being escorted from the room, a fellow volunteer stood with him for 5 minutes, and they did the kaddish together word for word.

Now that my friends, is nothing less than picking up the Rebbe’s diamond, and brushing off the dust.

I’d like to add, that while we were having our festive celebration in the gym, there was a unique Purim gathering happening simultaneously in another facility for those in protective custody. On behalf of the team, I’d like to thank Rabbi Hollander and Rabbi Yoely Weiser from La’asurim, for running that program with the inmates on Purim.

With thanks to Hashem and the Rebbe’s help, the program was smooth, and successful. When an event looks seamless and absolute, it’s because there are those who are keeping the seams of the fabric together from behind. I’d like to thank Rabbi Zalman and Shmuly Tevel for spearheading this incredible peulah. Thank you to Rabbi Kastel and the Lubavitch Youth Organization. A special thank you to Yossi Hecht and Esther Rochel Meyers for your assistance and contribution.

Thank you to the chaplains Rabbi Kretzmer-seed, Rabbi Hecht, and Rabbi Simring, together with the entire correctional staff of Rikers Island, ensuring that all the inmates have their religious needs met and taken care of.

Looking forward to celebrating the next event, with everyone on the outside in Yerushalayim!