Hear O Israel
Ahead of Purim, Jewish organization hands out 5,000 MP3 players playing Book of Esther to those who cannot hear it in person
This initative was launched by the Aleph Institute, a volunteer organization operating in 48 European countries. The organization purchased the music players in China, and recorded the book reading on them in five different languages: Hebrew, English, Spanish and French. Both Ashkenazi as well as Sephardic version of the book were recorded.
“We call these our MPJ (for Jewish) players instead of Mp3s,” said Rabbi Levi Kanelsky, Chairman of the Aleph Institute.
“We started this project a few months ago to get as many Jews as possible involved in Purim celebration. There are just so many people that do not have the chance to properly celebrate the holiday, or are not familiar with its customs.”
The Aleph Institute now plans to store Jewish prayers, music, as well as the Passover Haggadah on these MPs players. “We will ask local community rabbis what their congregants want and try to accommodate them accordingly,” said Kanelsky.
Along with these portable book readings, the institute also plans to distribute holiday meals to needy Jews, as well as Purim gifts.
“We were asked to help out some 45,000 Jews across Europe in order to bring them true holiday joy and we will do just that,” said the rabbi.
The total cost of this project is estimated at a 1miilion euros, or some NIS 5.4 million (about $1.6 million), all obtained from donations.
