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The event came and the event went. It was extraordinary in so many ways. Much of that which is hidden was revealed - the power of the Jewish name, the names in the Megillah, about the Megillah and the festival of Purim itself.
Surprisingly, Purim has the capacity for great holiness in addition to the joy, real joy, brought about by the Mitzvot and customs of the day. What we achieve with fasting and seriousness on Yom Kippur can be achieved through joy on Purim and even more, as it says ‘Yom Kippurim’, that Yom Kippur is a day like Purim in its holiness. We listen to the Megillah twice; every word is important from beginning to end. Megillah means reveal and Esther means hidden and so listening to Megillat Esther will reveal what is hidden - but listen carefully. The other Mitzvot of Purim - tzedakah for the poor, Shalach Manot, and a festive meal, together with the other customs related to Purim, all serve to make the day joyous as well as holy.
Purim reminds us of our ‘hidden’ natures as women, like Esther; how we can work through the details and the challenges with modest leadership and self sacrifice. We are grateful to each other as we know that we are all part of the miracle of life and each in our own way reveals the G-dliness hidden in the world.
Thank you to Hadasah and Yossi Kraemer for hosting the event in their home so beautifully. Thank you to Ettie Spigelman, Hadassa Naparstak, Malka Preston, Shulamit Greenbaum and Laiya Rothberg for their personal words about the names in the Megillah. Esther and Ester - what a team! Thank you! Every word of the interview was meaningful and no one wanted to miss a word.
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Recording: We regret that not every word was clearly audible throughout the interview, but the good news is that we are making the recording available on our website in approximately 2 weeks. To view the recording you will need to register and then log in for access. It’s a good idea to register here now for video and birthday access. We will update you on the recording and other RCWC news via our broadcast. If you are not signed on to our whatsapp broadcast, sign on here.
Raffle: Following the event, a raffle was drawn for copies of Ester Zirkind’s poignant book of self discovery: ‘Where is the Daughter I Raised?’.
The six winners in the following categories are:
- All guests: Naava Meyers
- All guests who registered: Malka Preston
- Megillah names: Orah Rothberg
- Adar birthdays: Katia Grinyov
- Contributors: Rebbetzin Rivkah Groner
- Welcome to Newcomers: Mushkie Gordon
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Oh What a Night! The RCWC Gala celebration for Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni was a spiritual smorgasbord of individual women’s stories about their special Hebrew names related to Purim. Esther, Hadassah, Malka, Simcha, and Orah. Each woman related their own brief family history while Laiya Rothberg dedicated a song to her daughter Orah, the shining light of her life.
Rebbetzin Sara Gutnick opened the evening by acknowledging our distress and compassion for the tragic events in the Ukraine and Tehillim was recited.
Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni is “a double dose of increased happiness”. She went on to explain the powerful nature of the Jewish name and the blessings that the naming carries with it, as it is said that the Shechina, the Divine Presence, is with parents when they choose a name.
With the feminine version of Ohr, light, the word Orah in the Megillah “reminds the Jewish woman of her ability to illuminate her surroundings by revealing the hidden”, as Esther did, using the power of both her names Esther and Hadassah.
The theme of the evening was most definitely Simcha and the making of an individual through life’s challenges. Ester Zirkind, author of “Where is the daughter I Raised?” was interviewed by Esther Loewenthal. Her support as she journeyed through illness and the loss of a child, as well as her subsequent writing of her book, helped her move to a healthy place of openness, joy and gratitude. Since then she has been talking about her experiences to share with others so that they may learn without the terrible challenges she faced in her life. “I do see a tremendous amount of joy. It’s a choice. It is sometimes a struggle. But to exercise that muscle is the answer”.
It was an inspiring evening as usual. More than 100 women attended the hybrid event and those on Zoom were not forgotten. Hamentashen, chocolates and a fancy mask awaited them at the Rebbetzin’s door in the following days.
In conclusion, the message of Queen Esther is this: When we trust in Hashem and fulfil our potential, we achieve beyond our wildest dreams. Believe in yourself. Trust in Hashem and you will find the path to true happiness. When we first meet Esther, she listens to all that Mordechai says, yet once she embraces her destiny with complete devotion, she is powerful beyond measure.
Purim Sameach
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Hanna Baum writes a regular column for the RCWC - usually after being inspired at one of our events!
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There are two ways one can look at life and Hashem's involvement in what’s happening in your own life or in the world. There is the way of Haman, doubt, and the opposite way of Mordechai, gratitude.
What does it say in the Megillah about Haman? That he comes from Amalek, about whom it says in the Torah, ‘asher korcha baderech’, ‘that he met you on the way’ (and attacked you). The word ‘korcha’ comes from the root of ‘kar’ cold, showing doubt, being cooled off to an idea.
What does it say about Mordechai in the Megillah? That he was a Yehudi, which represents gratitude and acknowledgement, from the root word ‘hodu’ ‘praise’. When a person is grateful for all that they recognise are gifts from Hashem, any doubt that may have tried to surface is quickly removed and they are left with a trust and a joy of living.
The power of Purim is to reveal what is hidden and be grateful and trusting in Hashem with joy throughout the ups and downs of life.
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This message was inspired by Raizel. Feel free to send a message for ‘Inspired!’ by contacting us through our website or on our WhatsApp.
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RCWC invites expressions of interest to sign up for a ‘Question and Answer’ session with Ester Zirkind as a follow-up to the RCWC ‘Hidden and Revealed’ event. The session will take place via Zoom on Sunday, March 27 at 11.45am for a 12 noon punctual start. Limited places. Donations welcome. Priority to those who attended the first event ‘Hidden and Revealed’ on Rosh Chodesh Adar II.
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About Ester Zirkind:
Ester Zirkind, similar to the heroine of the Purim story, was catapulted into unexpected circumstances that threw her life into chaos causing her to dig deep to find the strengths that brought a sense of equilibrium back into her life.
Born in London and living in Toronto, Canada with her family, Ester is a beloved teacher, writer, and speaker who recently had her book “Where is the Daughter I Raised?” published. She speaks on an extensive range of topics, often drawing from her life’s experiences to bring clarity, practicality and positive energy to her listeners.
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