Teens from Yemin Orde and Village Way partner communities volunteer to share Purim fun with youngsters, seniors.
Purim is a festive Jewish holiday that commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination by the brave young queen, Esther. Acts of charity are also part of Purim’s traditions and, at Yemin Orde and in our partner educational communities, our at-risk youth volunteered to bring joy and fun to others in the community.
Tenth and twelfth graders from Yemin Orde organized a Purim carnival for elementary and middle school-aged boys at Tokayer boarding school. The Village’s youth also visited a health care center for frail seniors in order to spread Purim cheer. Yemin Orde’s youth were deeply inspired by participating in the Purim volunteer activity and by spreading joy to others.
Volunteers spread Purim cheer
Other volunteer activities initiated and carried out by Yemin Orde’s youth included:
- “Shabbat Line of Life” – Yemin Orde youth did all Shabbat preparations for children with disabilities who stayed at the Village throughout the weekend. Our youth took great care of their guests, showed them a great time and stayed with them throughout the weekend.
- Helping the Hungry – our youth visited a food pantry, organized activities for Purim and distributed Mishloach Manot, baskets of treats for Purim.
- Nir Etzion School – 10th grade students visited the nearby elementary school and hosted a successful Purim carnival. Everyone had a great time and our youth thoroughly enjoyed the teamwork of running the carnival and helping to make others happy.
Additionally, at Yemin Orde Youth Village, youth dressed in homemade costumes, participated in readings of the Megillah-the Biblical story of Queen Esther – and delivered Purim treat baskets to staff members and others.
Purim fun at Village Way partner educational communities
At our Village Way Educational Initiatives partner communities, youth participated in Purim festivities, both at their schools and in community volunteer opportunities.
Adivi Ashkelon Ort Technology High School continued its annual tradition of hosting a Purim party and inviting guests from a local senior retirement community, where students regularly volunteer.
Students at Beit Ha’arava High School in Jerusalem participated in Tikkun Olam activities by distributing Mishloach Manot (Purim tradition of giving gifts of food and treats), to patients at Shaarei Tzedek hospital.
Young men’s gap-year leadership program gets into the Purim spiel
One of the most anticipated events of the year in the community of Hatzor Haglilit is the Purim carnival, hosted by the participants of Yemin Orde’s Young Men’s Leadership Program (Mechina, in Hebrew).
Each year, hundreds of families from the community attend the Mechina’s carnival, which includes refreshments, games, music, dancing, bounce houses and a local professional make-up artist for face painting.
For participants of the leadership program, the Purim carnival is an opportunity to use new skills learned during the year, such as teamwork, leadership skills, organization, public speaking, problem solving, and more.
Activities such as Purim celebrations and programs that further connect youth to their Jewish identity are funded through donations by our global community of supporters. These learning opportunities are part of the Yemin Orde difference.