Morristown’s Grand Purim Party Unites Community

The Morristown anash community hosted its annual Grand Purim Party this past motzei Shabbos at the Rabbinical College of America. The Purim party is a long standing tradition and the most highly anticipated and attended community event of the year.  Despite the late start, people came out in droves from all factions of the community for an interactive megilla reading, havdalah ceremony, rally, malava malka and entertainment. The festive evening ushered in Purim in Morristown with palpable feelings of achdus in the air.  

“Normally we don’t watch the clock on Shabbos, but tonight the minute Shabbos ended everyone in the home quickly dispersed to “gear up” for the Purim party.” explained a Morristown community member.  People bustled into the banquet hall dressed in creative and light-hearted costumes to hear the megillah, leined by Rabbi Yossi Zeidman accompanied by an entertaining video presentation for the younger audience members. Afterwards a community havdalah was made followed by a Tzivos Hashem rally led by the charismatic Rabbi Baruch Hecht. After the melava malka was served, musician Moshe Sobel ran an interactive drum circle which was thoroughly enjoyed by all, from toddlers to bubbies. 

Morristown, NJ is well known for being the home to the Rabbinical College of America where hundreds of students come every year through their prestigious Tomchei, Smicha and Tiferes Bachurim programs. But beyond the walls of the college is a burgeoning community settled around the College where everyone knows each other, celebrates one anothers simchas and of course hears the megilah at the annual Grand Purim Party together. 

Many students who attend Cheder Lubavitch Morristown travel from across the state to join in as well, eager to spend Purim with their classmates.  Many travel to Cheder Morristown from a distance because, like the Morristown community, the Cheder is known for its high standards of chassidishkeit, warmth, and scholastic excellence.

Rachel Schwartzman, the event organizer explains “It’s a massive community effort where everyone rolls up their sleeves to make it happen. I am very thankful to all the volunteers from the setup and decorating committee, bakers, cooks, water carriers, and the sponsors. It’s so wonderful to be able to build on this long standing Morristown tradition.”