Jenny's Purim Story
Through Purim programs, carnivals, seudahs, and trips NCSY has endeavored to educate teens across North America about the Purim story and the terrifying fate our ancestors seemed destined to meet thousands of years ago. A unique aspect of the Purim story is that G-d chose to thwart our enemies through a partnership with some very special Jews. One cannot help but wonder what modern Jewry would look like today if something similar had occurred 65 years ago.
In one of our public school clubs that took place the day before Purim, one of the instructors asked the following question, “Do you find any similarities between the Purim story with Haman and the modern day story of the President of Iran,
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?”. Sure enough some of the students right away mentioned the fact that both men had wanted to annihilate the Jewish People and that both men also seemed to be arrogant in their plotting.
There was one sweet Jewish girl, Jenny, sitting in the back of the classroom who in the past usually said nothing during these discussions. She had attended a yeshiva day school until 8th grade and had been in public high school for the last three years. Jenny had not attended a synagogue in the three years since she left day school, as she left her Jewish schooling with feelings of resentment and frustration.
Suddenly, Jenny shot her hand up in the air and wiggled it to and fro, bursting to say something. The instructor called on her and Jenny blurted out, “The stories are totally different!”. The instructor asked Jenny to elaborate. Jenny explained, “In the Purim story we fasted for three days and asked Hashem for mercy. I don’t think that’s the case today.” The class remained silent, as most of the students did not know that part of the Purim story. The instructor gave them more background from the story and then the bell rang. Jenny practically leapt out of her chair and ran up to the instructor. Jenny looked the instructor in the eye and said, “We need to control our own destiny. I am going to shul tonight to stop the President of Iran”. With that declaration Jenny turned around and walked out of the classroom with a confidence not seen by her peers in years.
What a remarkable realization by a remarkable girl. We, the Jewish People DO control our own destiny. We need to ask Hashem for his mercy and guidance in all aspects of our lives, whether it be seemingly insignificant details in our lives or large global issues affecting all of humanity. We must remember that Hashem is here to strengthen and guide us. Just ask Jenny.
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