March 22, 2024

This weekend we celebrate Purim. Purim is supposed to be the most joyful holiday of the year and yet, this year we approach the holiday in arguably the most difficult year for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. There are over 100 Israelis still in captivity in Gaza under conditions we cannot begin to imagine, as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on in its sixth month. There are hundreds of thousands of displaced Israelis in hotels, shelters, and temporary housing all over the country. Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, had their homes destroyed, and are struggling to meet basic needs like food and water every day. Here in the U.S., a recently released BBYO survey indicated that over 70% of Jewish teens have experienced antisemitic hate or discrimination. And, all around the world, the war has taken on a black-or-white tint, with widespread inability to acknowledge the humanity of others who may not share the same view. 

The story of Purim itself hits home this year as we read the megillah and hear of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jewish people and Esther’s heroism in revealing her Jewish identity to save our people. It’s hard to think about celebrating the holiday this year as we once again face the antisemitism embodied by Haman, and Jews everywhere are questioning whether they too should hide their Judaism, just like Esther initially did. 

This week, I visited MMSC Day School and had the opportunity to see what students of all ages were working on. As I went around to the various classrooms, I heard the joy from making hamantaschen (chocolate was the favorite flavor!), saw an engaging lesson about Purim and the mitzvot associated with it underway, and visited with a class that was excited to share their science projects with me. It was a refreshing visit and wonderful to see and feel the joy of Judaism coming alive for our young people.

At its core, Purim is a celebration of survival. While we once again face threats as a Jewish community, I am confident we will survive, just as we have for millennia. More than survive, I am confident we will continue to thrive and know from visiting with some of our Seattle kids this week that the future is bright. 

While our community is focused on antisemitism and all the negativity around us in the world, I hope that we can hold onto the duality of the difficult and the hopeful, just as Purim invites us to hold onto both a difficult story of threats to our community and a tale of bravery and perseverance.

Shabbat shalom,

Solly Kane, President & CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle