Five Towns Turns Shtetl

Those who stepped into Chabad this past Sunday stepped back in time and were treated to an old fashioned evening.

Chabad was transformed into the Shtetl world for its “Purim in the Shtetl” Seudah. Bushels of hay, clothing drying on clothes lines, a working apple cider press, giant murals depicting life in the shtetl, and klezmer music all worked well to depict a real feeling of the Shtetl years. The Wolowik and Geisinsky families added to the authenticity of the evening by wearing 19th Century attire.

The enthusiastic crowd loved the festive Purim atmosphere, which included lots of singing, laughter and fun. The up and coming new young talent, Chabad’s very own Yerachmiel Wolowik entertained the audience with his traditional Putim shtetl songs. For some, this was their very first Purim experience, and it was highly memorable.

The evening began with an in depth video explaining shtetl life.
The main virtue of the shtetl was the extent to which it was a community.
The shtetl operated on a communal spirit where giving to the needy was not only admired, but expected and essential.

Rabbi Wolowik then spoke about the miracles of shtetl life, and explained that although life was not easy then, the Jews of that time fulfilled all the Mitzvot in an uncompromising fashion. These values relate to the Purim story, where Mordechai was uncompromising in his values. Rabbi Wolowik then emphasized that we should celebrate Purim with the old time values and display our Jewish pride.

Purim in the Shtetl was a fun way to enjoy Purim as a community.
Everyone was given a sepia toned souvenir photo of themselves in the “shtetl”.