Purim Celebrations Begin in China Amid Coronavirus

Chabad.org Staff – chabad.org

Masked up and under difficult circumstances with the world’s most populous nation under strict restrictions amid the coronavirus epidemic, the remaining Jews of China have begun celebrating Purim, as the holiday has started in the world’s easternmost time zones.

In Beijing, Rabbi Shimon Freundlich, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Beijing, has stayed with his community, his family in safety overseas. “It was very special to read the Purim story here and now,” the rabbi tells Chabad.org. “Our country China and the Chinese people are going through a challenging time, but just as in the story of Purim, salvation is around the corner, as the statistics are already showing.” The Megillah reading in China’s capital city was held at the Israeli embassy, followed by l’chaim and hamantaschen, hand-baked by Freundlich.

Some 660 miles south, in Shanghai, Rabbi Shalom Greenberg, co-director of Chabad Shanghai, who returned to China to observe Purim with his community, read the Megillah and celebrated with a small group of community members, determined to celebrate Purim in high spirits.

In Hong Kong, Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon, co-director of Chabad of Hong Kong, oversaw festivities in the island’s commercial district, and a Megillah reading and party for kids at the local JCC.