Amid the current military operation, massive reserve call-up, and intensive training in live-fire zones, an extraordinary Purim campaign unfolded in Eilat and along the Egyptian border.

The Purim operation was led by Eilat shliach Rabbi Mendy Klein and his wife Chani, who coordinated the large-scale effort. 

“The wartime situation brought many unexpected requests for Megillah readings, mishloach manos, and Purim celebrations,” writer and author, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger, who participated in the efforts, told Anash.org.

Dozens of volunteers were mobilized to travel across the region, including shluchim and Anash from Eilat, bochurim from Chabad yeshivos across Eretz Yisroel, and additional volunteers who joined the initiative.

The volunteers visited thousands of soldiers stationed throughout the area, reading the Megillah with them, helping them fulfill the mitzvos of Purim, and bringing the joy of the Yom Tov along with the Rebbe’s message of hope to troops on the front lines.

Alongside the campaign among soldiers, thousands of Jews in Eilat itself heard the Megillah reading, and many participated in festive Purim seudos hosted by the Chabad Houses across the city.

“My brother-in-law, Rabbi Mendy Klein, and his wife organized a magnificent Purim seudah in the courtyard of their home,” Berger said. “Residents came together alongside donors, as well as guests from across the country who are currently in Eilat because of the war.”

Numerous visitors had arrived in Eilat for Shabbos, and when Operation “Roaring Lion” began, many extended their stay in the relatively quiet city, choosing to celebrate Purim and hear the Megillah together with Chabad.

“Alongside food on the level of a hotel, the seudah included sichos of the Rebbe and, of course, joyous Purim niggunim,” he added.

Even there, the Yom Tov was not without reminders of the ongoing security situation. A few sirens were heard – one on Purim morning before noon and another late at night after Purim had concluded.

Despite the interruptions and countless unexpected Megillah readings that arose throughout the day, the Purim campaign in Eilat and the surrounding region was a tremendous success.

“The widespread joy, mitzvos, and mivtzoim throughout the city and the surrounding region undoubtedly brought great nachas to the Rebbe,” Rabbi Berger told Anash.org.