Volunteer Eli had been told about Sam before the program began. Sam was resistant. He did not want tefillin, did not want the celebration, did not want the volunteers' attention. By the end of the afternoon, Sam was the one asking when they would be back.
A group of Jewish volunteers brought Purim celebrations to incarcerated Jewish inmates at Rikers Island, offering religious observance and genuine community spirit inside one of New York's most challenging facilities.
The program featured live music — Mendi Gadasi on keyboard, Grigori Gontmacher on violin — creating an energetic atmosphere where inmates danced together in ways that surprised even the officers watching. A magic show kept the room laughing throughout.
Core Purim mitzvot were fulfilled: megillah reading, Matanas La'evyonim, Mishloach Manos. A festive meal was provided with warm hot dogs, buns, salads, dips, snacks, and drinks. The afternoon concluded with Torah reading, aliyot for inmates, and Mincha prayers.
One participant put it simply: For a few hours, I felt like I was not in prison. Everyone was dressed up, everyone was happy, dancing, and uplifted. That, the organizers said, is the whole point.
