From quiet bedside visits to a grand Persian-themed celebration, the joy of Purim reached hundreds of patients, families, local residents and health care professionals across the Texas Medical Center last week. Organized by Aishel House and Chabad at the Texas Medical Center, the celebration began days before the holiday as hundreds of Purim gift boxes were delivered to Jewish residents across the neighborhood.
“Our goal was to ensure that Purim is accessible to every single Jew,” said Rabbi Lazer Lazaroff. While Megillah readings were held every other hour at Aishel House, celebrations extended into surrounding hospitals. Under the leadership of in-house chaplain Rabbi Naftali [Lazaroff], a group of young visiting rabbis traveled across the TMC to host readings and gatherings at Texas Children’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Health, Houston Methodist Hospital, Memorial Hermann-TMC and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The Megillah was read in public lobbies for staff and ambulatory patients, and bedside readings were offered to those unable to leave their rooms. Volunteers also distributed mishloach manot (small packages of food or gifts given to friends on Purim) and traditional hamantaschen to Jewish staff and patients alike.
The holiday peaked with the “Purim in the Persian Palace” celebration.
Aishel House was transformed into an ancient royal court, welcoming 140 guests – including patients, families and local residents – for a night fully immersed in the Purim story.
Rabbi Peretz Lazaroff opened the evening and chanted the Megillah, followed by a lavish Persian feast.
“I walked in and it smelled like my grandmother’s home,” said Edith, a guest of Persian descent.
Guests arrived in colorful costumes. The program featured lively entertainment, including a drum circle, balloon artists, Persian-inspired games and a grand costume show for children. Rochel Lazaroff shared words of inspiration on accessing the light of Torah in the modern age, reminding guests they could fulfill all four Purim mitzvot in a single evening.
The Persian theme carried a poignant weight this year. Given current events in Iran – modern-day Persia – the traditional sounding of groggers at Haman’s name felt especially spirited, and the unbreakable Jewish spirit was felt loud and proud.
Above all, the night was pure joy. Guests laughed, made l’chaims and drummed together. One guest summed it up perfectly: “That was amazing! So much fun. What a Purim!”