Purim Fest Rocks South East Alaska

Sitka, AK — In a small town, where there isn’t all that much going on, it doesn’t take much to get a large intersted crowd. For the 30 or so Jews in Sitka, Alaska they had there first dose of a traditional Purim. The Voluck and Rosen families, along with bachurim; Pinchas Taylor and Berel Brafman took south-east Alaska by storm last night.

This island with a population of around 8,000 people; has been a brewing center of Yiddishkeit, and Chassidishkeit, since last Wednesday when everyone came out to help with the events. Well over 200 curious people showed up to this historic event including Indian cheifs and Catholic preists. The Megilla was lained, with Tzivos-Hashem slide show, and it was followed by a Purim play, from the few children in the Jewish community. Afterwards everyone sat down for the meal, and danced to Sitka’s very own Klezmer band. The hall, which overlooks a range of snow capped mountains, was buzzing with smiles, compliments, and gratitude. “Sitka has never seen ANYTHING like this,” exclaimed one women.

This event followed Shabbos Parshas Zachor; where there was the first minyan, and krias haTorah in Sitka history.
This is truly one example of the Rebbe’s vision, that every Jew needs to be able to fulfill all the mitzvos of Purim, no matter where they may be.