Drawing Strength From Queen Esther: A Community Prayer and Sharing Circle
Thursday, March 21st - 9:00 am - Library
With Rabbi K’vod

With the current rise in anti-semitism, the horrific war in Gaza and the Middle East, many of us are grieving innocent lives of Israelis and Palestinians, and uncertain about the future and safety of the Jewish people. Our Purim Megillah tells us that thousands of years ago, the Jewish people found themselves in a similar situation about a possible dark future and Queen Esther led them in a communal fast and prayer for a hopeful outcome.

Please join us on Taanit Esther, a communal fast day that always falls right before Purim, as well as the Spring Equinox,  to come together as a community to do some learning about Purim,  to share what’s on our minds and hearts and sing together in prayer for peace for all people and specifically the safety and well being for our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel and this country.

We’ll begin the program learning virtually with Rabbi Aviva Richman of Hadar Institute in New York with a session entitled “A Sobering Look At Violence In the Megillah.” More information about this session is here: https://www.hadar.org/learn/classes-events/reading-megillah-after-october-7th
Then, we’ll open up for some singing and sharing.

 Whether or not or not you choose to fast on this day, you are welcome to join this communal prayer and sharing. This gathering will not be a place for debate and discussion, but instead a place to be heard and join our voices together.