This past Sunday, almost 500 people attended the Purim parties, Megillah readings and activities organized by the four Chabad centers in Southern Arizona.
Children rode the ponies at Chabad of Tucson's Purim in the Farm, students made Hamentashen at the University of Arizona' Chabad center, delicious Chinese food was served at Chabad on River, and Chabad of Oro Valley had a party with a groovy 60's.
While large numbers of participants is impressive, what touched me most was a single participant.
Her name was Connie and she was hired to serve at our Farm-themed party. On her way over, she casually asked her mother if she had ever heard about a Jewish holiday called Purim.
Her mother replied, "Tell the Rabbi that your name is Chana and that you are named after your grandmother."
Connie knew she was nominally Jewish but knew nothing else about her heritage or her history. This was the first time she listened the Megillah.
She was deeply moved and you could only imagine the joy her grandmother felt in Heaven.
It does not take much to touch a soul and you do not have to be an outreach professional to do it. The next time you meet a Jewish person, try engaging them in a Jewish activity.
Check out some photos of the Purim events at our Facebook page.