A Joy-Filled Purim for Terror Survivors & Their Families

In 2019, we held our first Purim event for families of victims of hostilities at the Millennium Centre. This is now our fifth year, and we hosted about 200 parents and children from families affected by terror. Due to the massacre on 7th October, many were added to the circle of bereaved families.

Because our nation is still in the middle of the war, we debated whether we should hold the event. Despite all the struggles, it was unanimously decided that it was important and worthwhile to hold the event to give the families hope and joy amid the devastation.

Early Sunday morning, 24 March 2024, on Purim day, the production company and the VFI team arrived at the Millennium Centre to set up all the booths and activities. We also had a designer decorate the Millennium Centre and make it enjoyable for all of the guests.

We welcomed the families with hot and cold drinks, fresh and healthy sandwiches, cookies, and a variety of pastries to start the event. Then the fun began with trampolines, inflatable houses, target shooting stations, juggling, masks and groggers craft stations, a drum circle workshop, a makeup station, and a balloon station.

After all of these fun activities, it was time to choose from a variety of food for lunch: hamburgers, hot dogs, falafel, shredded meat and chicken sandwiches, and bars of fresh salads and homemade bread. We also had popcorn and cotton candy stands available throughout the day. Our guests could enjoy as much food and drinks as they wanted.

After lunch, there was a time for the coordinators to say a few words to the attendees. The CEO of the Representative Organization for Terror Victims, the organisation's chairman, Batya, and Barry shared a short message of encouragement to these precious families.

To end our time together, there was a special performance of "King Solomon and the Bee". The play is an original adaptation of the famous parable of the great King Solomon who gets help from a small bee that he saved so that he can win the heart of his true love. The children were engaged and enjoyed the play.

At the end of the day, we also gave each family a special gift that included shower gel, hand creams, and body cream. The MDA team brought an ambulance to secure the event, which provided extra care, safety, and peace of mind to all of the guests. There were 193 people at this event — all of them members of the Victims of Hostilities organisation.

Just by seeing the faces of all of these precious families enjoying themselves together, we knew we made the right decision in having this party for them. Following the event, we received an encouraging letter from the Director of Welfare of the Victims of Hostilities organisation:

Dear Batya, Barry, and Liat,

We would like to express our sincere and deep gratitude for your extraordinary contribution every year and say thank you.

The event was great and was well run. The children and parents had a great time and we received great feedback at the end of the event.

We also as team members of the Victims of Hostilities organisation had a great time and experienced a happy and enjoyable Purim atmosphere.

Thanks,

Orit


We thank the Lord for the opportunity to bless His people for Purim even during war. With Passover just around the corner, if you want to impact many families for the 7-day celebration, please click on the button below and donate today!