Wartime Purim unity bridges secular-religious divides

• Published date: 29 March 2024
• Author: TANIA SHALOM MICHAELIAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Standing to the side was Adi Pinto, aunt of Jonathan Samerano, murdered by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. Camera footage shows his body being grabbed by a social worker working for UNRWA and taken into Gaza. Pinto and other family members have been vocal in their demands for the world to stop funding UNRWA

Pinto also insists that the bodies of all murdered Israelis held by Hamas should be included in any hostage deal.

"We don't want to be the next Arad family," she said, referring to weapons system officer Lt.-Col. Ron Arad, captured by the enemy in 1986, his body never found.

Joining her was Ayelet, Jonathan's mother, who skirted questions about her son. Looking around at the crowd, she noted: "We need more of these events. They bring us together as a people."

A row of women, all related to Omer Shem Tov and decked out in Purim hats, occupied one of the synagogue's pews – among them his grandmother Sarah Eshkenazi, his aunt Suzi Sadi, and his mother, Shelley.

"The last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions," said Suzi. "We try to embrace the joy of the holiday, but it's so hard. Passover is just around the corner. We have to believe that they'll come home."

She paused, before stating adamantly: "They will be home."

THE READING of Megillat Esther began. Some held little booklets handed out before the service, whispering their prayers in fervor. Others sat deep in thought.

Cute kids in fancy dress walked up and down the rows or clambered over the seats. It was hard to tell who they "belonged" to. Everyone treated them like their own – pulling them in for a hug, smiling at them, or ruffling their hair as they walked by.

A festive meal followed and a singer launched into Purim songs, and the people of Kesher Yehudi were on their feet, pulling the hostage families to join in the dancing. While some politely shook their heads, they could be seen tapping along to the music from their chairs. Yet many of them, including Omer Shem Tov's family, got caught up in the joy of the holiday, dancing around in the circles formed and swaying to the music with their haredi hosts.

"Isn't this wonderful?" asked Leah Hecht of Kesher Yehudi, who had attended the two previous events and was bowled over by the connections created.

Were not so different, you and I

"I realized there just...