Purim in Rikers Island Jail

By TheCoolJew.com

It’s a sad truth, but a reality nonetheless a fact; thousands of Jews spent this past purim in Prison. Purim in Prison is difficult to celebrate, usually the Jewish inmates, if lucky, and providing they have a shliach in in the area, are allowed to gather once to read the megillah. Hamentashen, a meal, and shlach manos are almost unheard of.

For the Jews in Rikers Island Prison this year, the story was a bit different.

Rabbi Yosef Tewel, of Crown Heights, has been looking out for the physical and spiritual welfare of the Jews in the Rikers Prison, and around the New York area for over 20 years.

Bright and early at 8 AM Purim morning, approximately twenty bochurim and a few members of Anash packed out of Crown Heights to help make a grand Purim celebration.

Around one hour later the group pulled into Rikers and was escorted into the huge facility. Many of the bochurim present were skilled music players and brought their instruments with them. Three long carts were needed to transport all the food, drum sets, keyboard, speakers, and more from the entrance of the facility to the party room.

Inside the room 20 tables were set up with nice white table clothes. Right away the bochurim set up all the instruments and a wedding-like party began. Inmates began pouring in from all over the prison. The Jewish inmates were so delighted to see that these Lubavitchers came to spend their Purim with them. It was a very emotional scene.

Dancing went on for almost an hour followed by a megilah reading, a very nice seudah (paid for by the group) that included chumus, a wide variety of chips, pita, chocolates, fish, matzah, soda and much more. Such a meal is never seen in a prison on a normal basis. Just the ability to have a good meal was a major delight to these downhearted men and women.

In the middle of the meal more dancing ensued. Many of the bochurim came dressed in costumes and extra ones were brought for the inmates themselves. This brought such smiles to everyone in the room.

The event ended off with a special violin playing from renowned Yitzchak Horowitz of Crown Heights. Yitzchak told over the story of the Shpoler zeida and the ‘hup kazak’ nigun. This led into a final round of dancing and a farewell.

For Jews who spend day after day alone, away from their families and the world, this was with no question the happiest day of their time in prison. May all those who Jews who need a yeshuah be granted one. Special thanks to the entire Tewel family and all who came for making this happen.