Turning sadness into joy (illustration)
Photo: Reuters
No celebration without Haman's ears
Photo: Boaz Lavi
Needy kids get to celebrate Purim
Ahead of Good Deeds Day, Bnei Akiva youth initiate holiday celebration at Beit Shemesh children's club
They suffer from poverty, distress and violence. They're all children, and some of them discovered recently – for the first time in their lives – just how joyful Purim
can be.
The celebration was orchestrated by the city's Bnei Akiva movement. The cheerful children put on costumes, sang Purim songs, listened to the Book of Esther, and munched on the traditional Haman's ears pastries.
The holiday of masks isn't here yet, but the Shvil Haeshel children's club in Beit Shemesh marked it as early as last week.
Good Deeds Day
Rotem Oliver
'Our camp proves that there are teenagers in this country who contribute to society without asking for anything in return.' Rotem Oliver, 17.5, invites you to a world of nothing but good deeds
"These children were sent here by welfare services, as they have no real home to be in," says Shira Tene, who organized the activity.
Instructor Ze'ev Hidekel says the activity saves the children from boredom and from turning to crime and other unwanted acts. Most of the children come from broken homes, where they have been exposed to poverty and violence, he adds.
"It's amazing to see these children's eyes shine after they haven't been able to smile for a long time," said Tene at the end of the event.
This early Purim celebration was part of Bnei Akiva's Worldwide Yom Chesed (day of helping).
Good Deeds Day
April 5, 2011 is going to be a very special day. It's time to take a break from your hectic life routine and join the Good Deeds Day project led by Arison Group's Ruach Tova association. All you have to do is choose a project close to your heart – and to your home.
Want to volunteer? Click here
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