By COLlive reporter
With the panic surrounding the spread of the coronavirus, the Shluchim to Biel-Berne, Switzerland, Rabbi Elimelech and Chaya Marelus, were unsure if to proceed with their planned celebrations.
With news reports of the virus spreading, health warnings in place and many in quarantine, many Purim parties and Megillah readings were being canceled in Switzerland. The Marelus’s were unsure whether they should go ahead and continue the plans for their “Purim in the USA” celebration.
Over 60 local Jews attended the event, which had a full “American” program, and of course, all the mitzvos of the day.
The decision to go ahead with the party turned out to be crucial to one local woman, who told her story to Rabbi Marelus.
Having been born to Ukrainian parents who had moved to Bern, she only found out at the age of 20 that she is Jewish. Years later, with only the name of a cousin living in Israel, she flew to Tel Aviv to find out more about her roots, and after a search located her relatives.
Only recently, she had made the decision to return to her Jewish roots. She contacted Rabbi Marelus, and did not tell him about her past, only that she would love to learn more about Judaism. Rabbi Marelus invited her to join the Purim party at Chabad.
After attending the event, the woman was very moved, and shared her story with the Shliach.
“Now that I experienced true Yiddishkeit, next time I attend a Chabad event, I will bring my grandchildren,” she said.
