By COLlive staff
60 years after Stalin’s death on Purim 5713, over 150 Russian Jews living next to the ocean in Brooklyn, still recovering from superstorm Sandy, got a fiery boost of encouragement from the joy of a great Purim bash.
Over 80 heard the megillah through one of the readings organized by Chabad of Kingsborough, Directed by Rabbi Efraim and Chanie Zaltzman.
A lavish community Seudas Purim was held, with lots of L’chaim, a Klezmer Band, and face painting for the children. The event was co-spnsored by Young Israel of Brighton Beach and Chabad of Kingsborough.
United States Congressman Hakeem Jeffries paid a visit and spoke about the importance of the US government assisting houses of worship damaged by Suprstorm Sandy.
Rabbi Zaltzman thanked the Congressman for his time and effort and spoke about how the separation of Church and State means that the government does not support one religion over another, but the basic belief in G-d is what the USA was founded on, and it is inscribed on the dollar, “in G-d we trust.”
Rabbi Zaltzman also spoke about how the Rebbe screamed “hoo ra” 3 times (“he is bad”) and so did the Chasidim at the farbrengen of Purim 5713 at 2 am, while Stalin was dying 4700 miles away in Moscow. He also spoke of the similarity of Purim and Yom Kippur… (Yom HA- K’Purim) the event started at 4:15 and went past midnight.
Earlier that day Chabad of Kingsborough sponsored a similar program for students.
