Around 50 women, men and children clad in costumes sat listening intently Tuesday as Rabbi Mendy Shapiro’s melodic chant rang out in the small chabad center off Mosside Boulevard.
At seemingly random points, the crowd would erupt in a piercing din as they pounded on tables and activated their handheld noisemakers.
This was a Purim celebration – and it all had a meaning.
Shapiro said the Hebrew chanting was his recitation of the megillah, or scroll, of the book of Esther. The intermittent clattering by his listeners was to blot out the name of the wicked “Haman,” who had a plot to destroy the Jewish people under King Ahasuerus.
Haman’s evil plan was foiled, eventually spelling victory for the Jewish people. Purim, therefore, is a joyous holiday, held March 9-10, meant to remind Jewish people they have overcome much oppression.
“It’s a holiday that celebrates unity, celebrates religion, it celebrates freedom of religion, it celebrates everything that is right about God and about the people and about the world. So it’s really a joyous time and we’re happy to celebrate,” said Shapiro, rabbi of The Chabad Jewish Center of Monroeville.
The synagogue celebrated this year by decorating the inside of the building with images and symbols of New York City. There was a paper brick wall that invited children to create graffiti. There were street signs inscribed with “One Way” and “Madison Avenue” and “Times Sq.”
Some in attendance dressed up, like Debbie Iszauk who, with her husband, dressed up in French noir garb.
But all partook in the feast – another NYC-themed element at the celebration. There were potato knishes, deli subs, New York hot pretzels, hot dogs, sour pickles and other delicacies.
“This is a story of good versus evil, and overcoming adversity. Finding the strength to rise up again,” Iszauk said.
Shapiro also offered small shot glasses of hard liquor, as a l’chaim, a toast to life; he said Purim is all about the excitement.
“It’s about joy. So we go over the top. Sometimes a little l’chaim helps with that,” he said.
