2008 Woodie Awards
Yeshiva Students Deliver Simcha
Josh Vogel
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
150 students from Yeshiva, Stern and other area colleges visited sick and bedridden individuals that were unable to go out and enjoy the holiday themselves on Purim morning, March 24. The unique program, called Simcha Deliveries, was a smashing success; in all, 300 bags of Mishloach Manot were delivered to patients in several area hospitals and nursing homes.
Meeting at the Wilf Campus, already dressed up in costumes, the merry makers split up into cabs and cars and followed their chaplains to the location of their deliveries. For the next hour and a half, the groups spread cheer either on a one-on-one basis with patients in their rooms, or in groups where the recipients had been gathered in advance. At each stop, the visitors left a stocked bag of Mishloach Manot to ensure that the cheer would last well after they were gone. The groups also brought along colorful posters to hang in the hospitals and nursing homes. Participants reported that the visits were well-received and appreciated.
The planning started months in advance with the establishment of a website, which processed all the information for applicants.
On Purim eve, before the Fast of Esther began, a large part of the contingency gathered to be briefed on the Friday morning procedures, including a crash course in how to interact with patients. Then the group was sent to start packing Mishloach Manot. Despite shortages in plastic bags, 30 Yeshiva and Stern students packed and tied all 300 packages in less than one hour.
"Bikur Cholim is an integral part of the Purim Holiday," said one of the participants. "It is important to make sure that you don't take all the joy of the holiday for yourself. You have to keep in mind that there are others who aren't as fortunate as you, and you have to include them in your plans too."
Meeting at the Wilf Campus, already dressed up in costumes, the merry makers split up into cabs and cars and followed their chaplains to the location of their deliveries. For the next hour and a half, the groups spread cheer either on a one-on-one basis with patients in their rooms, or in groups where the recipients had been gathered in advance. At each stop, the visitors left a stocked bag of Mishloach Manot to ensure that the cheer would last well after they were gone. The groups also brought along colorful posters to hang in the hospitals and nursing homes. Participants reported that the visits were well-received and appreciated.
The planning started months in advance with the establishment of a website, which processed all the information for applicants.
On Purim eve, before the Fast of Esther began, a large part of the contingency gathered to be briefed on the Friday morning procedures, including a crash course in how to interact with patients. Then the group was sent to start packing Mishloach Manot. Despite shortages in plastic bags, 30 Yeshiva and Stern students packed and tied all 300 packages in less than one hour.
"Bikur Cholim is an integral part of the Purim Holiday," said one of the participants. "It is important to make sure that you don't take all the joy of the holiday for yourself. You have to keep in mind that there are others who aren't as fortunate as you, and you have to include them in your plans too."