It would be too blatant, and even too inexcusable, an omission, were this update not to refer to the holiday of Purim which, this year, we actually celebrate today, March 14.
As with all Jews who yearn and strive for the wellbeing and betterment of our people and of the world at large, there are indeed substantive connections between GAJE’s work and any of the multitude of important meanings mined by our Sages from the deep vein of history and homily called the Scroll of Esther.
We briefly point to one, as an example.
In an essay written for eJewish Philanthropy, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, senior scholar and educator in residence at The Jewish Education Project, confirmed what most of us feel as a result of the events of October 7 and their hate-filled aftermath: “[S]omehow this year it seems like the Megillah was truly written for our time! Diaspora Jews can certainly relate to the portrayal of the Jewish nation as being at the mercy of antisemitism and the desire of our young people to hide away their Jewishness to save themselves and to avoid conflict.”
But she did not confine her observation to the shared negative feelings awoken by both the ancient and the modern Diaspora predicaments. Rather, Rabbi Epstein urged us to find instruction in the positive outcome from ancient times that we might apply today. “Yet, if the story of Purim can lay out our challenges, it can also be a source of inspiration, strength, purpose and pride.”
This ringing conclusion warrants restatement and emphasis.
No-one will deny the extent of the shock, outrage and even vulnerability that Jewish communities felt and continue to feel by the unabating manifestations at home and abroad of hatred for Jews and for Israel. But Rabba Epstein urges us to find a path whose guideposts are – inspiration, strength, purpose and pride – to help us find our way despite and through the fears and the rage.
Rabba Epstein further states that Purim “is a holiday about the power of human beings. The power of the individual, and of the communal to transform. It is the holiday of stepping up and taking responsibility.” And vital to her message, she also notes that our strength multiplies when we act as a people united in purpose, not necessarily though, in politics or opinion.
The central point Rabba Epstein makes is this: “[W]hat should this unity be based on in order to truly become am echad (one united people)?It is through the Torah, our shared inheritance of Jewish text, Jewish values and Jewish life. Our central identity as a people is the Torah we have inherited, ready and waiting for every Jew to step up, take responsibility and add their unique voice.
In other words, it is through education. Rigorous Jewish education, irrespective of the denominational stream, increases the chances that Jews will feel a sense of belonging and responsibility to each other.
This is also the keystone holding intact and joining GAJE’s work to the drama of the Scroll of Esther. GAJE’s purpose is to try to help make Jewish education truly affordable to every family that seeks it for their children. And in so doing, also help foster, within the Jewish people at home and abroad, feelings of true am echad, which, when called upon in days to come, will be the font of lifelong inspiration, strength, purpose and pride.
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If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit, please click here. Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of helping to underwrite the costs of the lawsuit. For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
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Chag Purim samayach. Shabbat shalom. Am Yisrael Chai
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
March 14, 2025
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 