Purim Miracle marked in Goodyear
Purim is a time to celebrate, and that's just what West Valley Jews did this weekend. The Chabad Jewish Center of Goodyear held its first-ever Purim Party Sunday afternoon at Quality Inn & Suites in Goodyear. The event was open to the entire Jewish community, regardless of affiliation or background, said Rabbi Berel Zaklikofsky, who is relocating from New York to Arizona later this year. He'll serve as director for what is to become the first synagogue in the Southwest Valley. “Purim is a day of sharing together in utter joy,” Zaklikofsky said. “The Jews not only survived, but triumphed, because of their active unity and unshakable commitments to their identity as a practicing Jewish community.” The festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from a plot by Haman, an adviser to King Ahasuerus, “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.” The plot was foiled by King Ahasuerus' wife, Queen Esther, who, unbeknownst to him, was a Jew. The holiday is observed by public readings of the Megillah (“Scroll of Esther”) sending food portions to friends, giving gifts of money to the poor, and enjoying a festive meal accompanied with joyous drink. The local Purim Party, attended by Zaklikofsky and his family, featured a light buffet lunch, as well as l'chaim, Hamantaschen, a Purim piñata, a costume party, music, dancing and plenty of schmoozing. “It's a family party,” Zaklikofsky said. “This holiday symbolizes Jewish freedom in a more external way. We celebrate in a more external way by having a meal, getting together with the family.” Zaklikofsky said the festival of Purim places a lot of emphasis on Jewish youths because the next generation is the best bet for continuing the customs of Judaism. “We see that the holiday of Purim is significant because the miracle that occurred was for all ages,” Zaklikofsky said. “We
