How could Zichron Menachem, which believes so strongly in doing “happy therapy,” celebrate anything less than two full days of Purim?!!

Many children throughout Israel were visited on Purim by very dedicated Zichron Menachem volunteers who arrived at the children’s homes in order to create Purim merriment for them and their families. This year groups of “klezmer” musicians joined the “ZM” volunteers and traveled to outlying towns throughout Israel – Elazar, Alon Shvut, Ramat Beit Shemesh, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in, Ma’aleh Adumim, as well as greater Jerusalem – in order to increase the happiness of the children and their families during the Purim holiday.

Needless to say, Zichron Menachem never arrives anywhere empty-handed! Volunteers gave each “ZM” child, and their brothers and sisters too, the traditional “Mishloach Manot” Purim presents. Every child received a huge gift package filled with toys, gifts, food and Purim sweets.

Each household we visited was the scene of much celebration. Guitarists and keyboard players got everyone dancing and jumping with joy, as is written in the “Megillah of Esther” which tells the story of the miracles of Purim: “The Jews enjoyed much joy and light.”

While the young “klezmer” singers were traveling from one home to another, one of the Zichron Menachem parents, whose daughter had been sick with cancer - but fortunately is healthy now - called us on his cell phone. He wanted to share a personal experience with our young volunteers.

“I now relate to the Purim holiday very fondly because it was during that same time - when my daughter was critically ill – that you all came to our home and entertained our entire family. I will remember that Purim holiday forever because what Zichron Menachem did at the time gave us to a chance to forget everything difficult that was happening then.”

Zichron Menachem’s special Purim campaign to cheer up children with cancer and their families, brought light and happiness to over 60 families throughout Israel. Young volunteers, who were accompanied by our Sherut Leumi women (National Service volunteers), reached homes as far north as Tiberias and as far south as Beersheba.

We are most grateful to all the dedicated Zichron Menachem volunteers who brought so much enthusiasm and joy into so many homes, reaching so many families who are need of special attention and support not only on Purim, but also on every day of the year.