“I want to pay tribute to my daughter, who has done some programming here at Chabad of the South Hills…She researched and really liked this idea,” said Batya Rosenblum, co-director of Chabad of the South Hills. .

Purim takes place about a month before Passover. It is a celebration of the Jewish people overcoming a pogrom led by Haman, an advisor to King Ahashverosh of ancient Persia.

The evening began with the traditional reading from the Megillah, also known as the Book of Esther, in Hebrew by Rabbi Mendy Rosenblum, director of Chabad of South Hills.

Rabbi Rosenblum, who is Batya’s husband, read an animated version of the story played on a television screen beside him. In keeping with the theme of the evening, he wore an Uncle Sam costume, matching Batya’s Statue of Liberty attire.

Batya noted that the story is unique because it does not mention God’s name.

“However, it’s clear that God was stepping in and being behind the scenes every step of the way,” Batya said.

The event space was decorated with familiar New York City subway signs and street signs. In addition to the buffet, children were able to draw on a graffiti wall and a station offered free airbrushing of New York-designed T-shirts.

Each year they also collect donations for the less fortunate, and this year they had a special cause to support.

“Today we are raising funds for the Jews of Ukraine who are suffering terribly,” Batya said.