Purim in Daugavpils – Returning of the Tradition

On the 11^th of March, 2012 (the year 5772, according to the Jewish calendar) in Daugavpils, Latvia, the first vernal, most cheerful and colourful Jewish holiday of Purim has taken place. This event was significant this year thanks to the revival of the tradition in Daugavpils to celebrate the holiday of Purim with a performance and carnival.

The large hall of the hotel "Latgola" has been overcrowded. Purim is a Jewish holiday and at the hall there were mostly representatives of the Jewish population of the city, but, along with them there were also people of other nationalities. Visitors from other cities of Latvia: Riga, Ogre, Kraslava, Rezekne and other countries: Lithuania, the USA, also have arrived for the holiday.

With a speech of welcome and congratulations on the holiday Stanislav Zlobin, the pastor of Daugavpils Evangelical Christian church «God’s Covenant», one of initiators of the revival and organization of the Jewish holidays at a wider level in the city, has spoken.

Raisa Abramovna Ustinskova, the trustee of Daugavpils Jewish community, has told about the history of the holiday, its precepts and traditions.

This Purim was special for the Jews of the city also because after a 25-year break Purim Spiel (the dramatized performance) - an integral part of the holiday of Purim narrating about a wonderful rescue of the Jews from extermination in Ancient Persia, thanks to wisdom of Mordechai, the leader of Jews, and courage of Esther, was shown. Purim Spiel was real. With costumes, decors, appropriate make-up for actors and requisites. All of it precisely transferred the events of that time.

The spectators at the hall watched the performance with kindness, interest and attention. Some of them heard about the history of the holiday of Purim for the first time today.  The history of the rescue of the Jews from extermination in Persia is known not for everyone. Amateur actors played so pathetically that many spectators had tears in their eyes.

Musical compositions of klezmer chapel, vocal ensembles, the adult "Mazel Tov" and children's "Faerleh", under the direction of the composer, the musician and conductor Grigory Kagan, and dancing ensembles "Aviva" and "Halom" - head Dmitry Morderer from Daugavpils Jewish community, have complemented the performance, underlined the importance of particular moments and allowed to feel the link with the historical past.

But on the scene, following the historical narration, came the carnival - also an integral part of the holiday of Purim. Purim carnival drew in the actors who have put on masks and turned at once into carnival characters, spectators in the hall, and visitors. All the people in the hall danced accompanied by the cheerful Jewish melodies. Everyone at this day was united by the holiday of Purim. Unusual atmosphere reigned in the hall: congratulations, flowers, smiles, friendly embraces, wishes of the further meetings and holidays.

But the holiday did not end on that. There were so many Purim suits and masks that it was simply necessary to hold the competition of carnival suits. And it was organized; none of the participants in the carnival suit remained without a prize.

The Jewish wise men say: “While Jews are united, no enemy can destroy them. Every generation of Jews should strengthen their unity to overcome the enemies”. Therefore in Purim, Jews say: “We send fruits and gifts to increase mutual love which protects us during all the year, and thanks to that, no enemy will have the power over Israel!”. Therefore, our holiday also came to the end with a delivery of gifts!

The holiday has come to the end, but it seems that it will remain in our hearts for a long time because empathizing, rejoicing and having fun we have also a sense of responsibility to each other. In such a friendly atmosphere there is a certain unity which should be protected and developed.

Alla Terehova - the director of the performance of Purim Spiel.

PURIM - ON HOLIDAY`S EVE

The most cheerful, bright, joyful and dramatized Jewish holiday of Purim draws closer; this year it is held on the 8^th and 9^th of March. In Daugavpils (Latvia) there will be a celebratory charitable action devoted to Purim on March, 11^th at 4 pm.

The holiday program is interesting and saturated: Purim Spiel, devoted to the holiday; Purim’s carnival; competition for the best Purim’s suit; prizes and gifts; traditional Purim’s treat  «Haman's ears» (hamantash).

The main event of the holiday – Purim Spiel narrates about a wonderful rescue of Jews from the extermination in Ancient Persia. The audience will plunge into the year 3392 from the day of the creation, at the time of king’s Achashverosh reign. Malicious first minister of the king – Haman, who hated Jews, hatched a plan and, with the consent of the king, passed a decree about the extermination of Jews in one day – Adar 13^th. But The Supreme, once again, rescues Jews from the extermination.

The performance, at the given stage, is on the finish line, with the participation of amateur actors and youth drama studio "Smile" of Evangelical Christian Church «God’s Covenant» in Daugavpils.

Collectives of the Daugavpils Jewish community will take part in the performance: a klezmer chapel, two vocal collectives, adult "Mazel Tov" (good luck) and children's "Faerleh" (Sparks), two dancing ensembles "Aviva" (spring) and "Halom" (Dream). Jewish klezmer melodies, vocal performance of national Jewish songs, dancing compositions, will fill the performance with special feelings, underlining the tragic and joyful moments of Jews` life in Persia, displayed in the performance, creating a unique Jewish colour.

Both scenery and suits for the performance have been made by own means, with the help of the church and actors; everything was done with a strong desire, creative approach and uplift.

The forthcoming holiday is unique because the present Purim Spiel will take place in Daugavpils 25 years after the last performance of Purim Spiel in 1987.

After performance, according to the tradition of Purim, Jews of the city, invited to attend the holiday, will receive grocery packages (150 packages in total).

If you want to visit this holiday, contact us by e-mail – dievaderiba@inbox.lv, or by phone +371-29254626. The quantity of seats is limited.

We will be glad, if you support the organization of this holiday financially, by making a donation for the God’s Covenant Church, the organizer of the holiday:

Bank: „Swedbank” AS, Daugavpils filiāle (branch)

Account (IBAN): LV25HABA0551030324580

Code (SWIFT): HABALV22

Beneficiary: Daugavpils Evaņģēlisko Kristiešu draudze “Dieva Derība” (Daugavpils Evangelisko Kristiesu draudze “Dieva Deriba”)

Registration NR (ID): 90000166572

The purpose of payment: Donation

Alla Terehova

The head of youth drama studio "Smile"

Ministries at God’s Covenant Church – Women’s Club „Lily”

Women’s club “Lily” exists already more than 1,5 years at God’s Covenant Church. Regular meetings of the club pass monthly, every third Sunday of the month. Apart from the regular meetings of the club, other remarkable actions, such as excursions, conferences, country trips and many other things, have also been organized. Each time various topical and important themes for women are discussed at the club meetings.

It is well known that it is important for the woman to pay attention not only to the appearance, but also to the beauty of her inward state. Women's club pays special attention to this important theme. Therefore, there are always vital topics about internal transformation of the woman at the club meetings.

Organizers of the club constantly invite visitors, speakers, experts in various areas, and participants of the club to share their life experiences which is always useful to the others.

Thanks to the work of the club, women get a lot of interesting and helpful information on how to create a family, how to serve God, how to obtain promotion, how to be successful, etc. Moreover, participants of the club share their interests and hobbies.

The main aim of the club is to encourage, inspire, and support the woman so that she realizes her calling and mission.

Every meeting of the club passes in its own special way and is unique - practical trainings and tests, seminars, sermons, games, songs, verses, parables, testimonies, various video materials, conversations over a cup of coffee or tea and many other things.

We’ll be glad to see every woman at the meetings of our club!

Welcome!

Karina Guseva