Reflections regarding Thursday March 13, 2025 until Friday March 14, 2025 in Sydney, Australia
The day we disembarked from our cruise ship was Taanit Esther—the Fast of Esther—which culminates in the start of the holiday of Purim. As we waited for an Uber to take us to our new Airbnb in Sydney, a group of lovely Israeli cruise passengers asked where we planned to celebrate Purim that night. We shared our plans and wished them a continued wonderful journey.
Our new home was a townhouse nestled among many quaint and charming homes, right next to a school. It felt like we could’ve been back in England—except the weather was much better. The boys spent the afternoon doing schoolwork and figuring out their Purim costumes. Thankfully, they had plenty of options from their adventures in the cruise youth lounge: pirate, cowboy, beach bum, and more. Later, I walked to the store to stock our fridge and pantry. I felt the same kind of liberation I had felt grocery shopping in Auckland after five weeks in India. I hadn’t realized how much the ability to shop and cook for myself was tied to my sense of independence and identity.
That evening, we took an Uber to The Great Synagogue. We were dropped off at the back and were trying to find the entrance when—lo and behold—the Israeli group from the cruise appeared. They had changed their plans to join us there after our earlier conversation. It was comforting to see some “familiar” faces. Eventually, someone helped us find the front entrance, and we went inside.
The synagogue was stunning, with a vaulted ceiling and painted in a style reminiscent of European shuls we’ve seen. I noticed there weren’t as many children as I had hoped, and I prayed there would be more kids at the synagogue’s Purim party the following day.
Megillah/scroll reading usually takes forty minutes or more, which can be tough for kids to sit through. So, we did what any reasonable parents would do—we bribed our kids with candy. For every perek/chapter they sat through quietly and attentively, they earned a piece. This reading was impressively fast — under thirty minutes! The kids actually wondered whether the baal koreh/reader had read the whole thing.
Afterward, we enjoyed a light break-fast with delicious sushi, traditional hamantaschen, and cocktails. After some mingling, we headed home feeling winded and exhausted. We were all still recovering from lingering symptoms of our recent viruses.
The next morning, Chaim went to work while the boys and I stuck to our usual routine: school in the morning and an excursion in the afternoon. We visited the free Australian Museum and loved exploring its diverse exhibits. The only challenge was all the stairs. The boys seemed mostly recovered, but I was still struggling with shortness of breath during exertion. I couldn’t wait to finally feel like myself again.
At 4:00 PM, the boys changed back into their costumes. Purim is meant to be one of the most joyful days for children, but the excitement and buildup can sometimes backfire. Being far from home only heightened the emotional load. Poor Eitan was upset about his costume, which led to a full-on meltdown and delayed our departure. When we finally arrived at the shul for the Purim seudah/feast, Eitan refused to go inside. Chaim stayed with him, patiently trying to coax him in.
Inside, the place was buzzing with children of all ages — from babies to teens. Our boys were thrilled. The assistant rabbi and other kids quickly welcomed them, and they were soon swept up in the fun. The synagogue made sure every child could take part in all four of the Purim mitzvot/commandments during the seudah. Each child received a mishloach manot/Purim gift bag, which they then traded with another child. It was heartwarming to watch our kids give to and receive from children they’d never met. For them, it probably felt familiar—similar to what they do at their Jewish day school back home—but for me, it made the mitzvah feel all the more poignant.
Next, each child was given a few Australian cents to donate to tzedakah/charity for matanot la’evyonim/gifts to the poor. Last, but not least, a DJ and dance crew got everyone up and moving. Somewhere in the last nine months, our boys shed any shyness they once had about performing in public. They became the life of the party, busting out dance moves we didn’t even know they had. Thankfully, Eitan eventually joined the festivities and ended the night on a high note.
After months of worrying about how to make Purim feel meaningful and fun while traveling — and how to fulfill all of the mitzvot — my heart was full knowing our children had experienced a true, joyful, and memorable freilichen Purim.
