On Purim day at Rikers Island, as bochurim from Crown Heights moved around the room offering inmates the opportunity to put on tefillin, one man waiting nearby noticed they were busy helping others.

Rather than wait, he simply picked up the tefillin and began wrapping them himself, carefully and confidently, as if it were something he had done many times before.

The moment was one of many during a Purim program that brought nearly one hundred inmates together to celebrate the Yom Tov through the Rebbe’s Mivtzoim.

But for many of the bochurim, the effort had begun the night before.

Because inmates cannot gather together in one place at night, bochurim moved from section to section throughout the facility, conducting multiple Megillah readings so that each group could hear the Megillah. For many of the bochurim—who had spent the day fasting on Taanis Esther—the Mivtzoim continued late into the night, leaving Crown Heights in the afternoon and returning only close to midnight.

Yet by Purim morning, they were back on the road again.

Led by Rabbi Zalman Tevel, who heads Chabad’s activities at Rikers Island, the group included about twenty-five Crown Heights bochurim, many from Kvutza, along with several Crown Heights girls and balabatim. A full school bus of participants made the trip together, with others arriving by car.

Nearly one hundred inmates attended the Purim day program as participants were brought into the room gradually by facility staff.

Once everyone settled, the celebration began with the reading of the Megillah and Krias HaTorah.

The room soon filled with the atmosphere of Purim as bochurim distributed Mishloach Manos packages and encouraged participants to exchange them so they could fulfill the mitzvah. A festive Seudas Purim followed, with hamburgers, hot dogs and traditional sides served for the participants.

Throughout the program, bochurim moved around the room offering inmates the opportunity to put on tefillin. In total, eleven men wrapped tefillin during the visit, including one individual who had never put them on before.

At one point, a bochur asked a man if he was Jewish. The man responded immediately with a smile: “Of course I’m Jewish—I’m from Bnei Brak.”

Another participant shared that although he was not personally Orthodox, he loved the Rebbe and Chabad and eagerly asked to put on tefillin.

And then there was the man who had simply taken the tefillin and wrapped them himself.

Music later filled the room, adding to the festive Purim atmosphere. A magician entertained the participants with mind-reading tricks connected to the spirit of Purim, drawing laughter from those present.

A chaplain also addressed the participants, speaking about the connection between the story of Purim and modern events involving Iran.

The program concluded with everyone standing together and singing “Ani Ma’amin,” a moment of shared faith that left a strong impression on many present.

Beyond the celebration itself, the visit also opened the door to continued connection. One participant asked the bochurim to return again, while another inmate—who had previously been involved in Chabad services—was connected with the chaplain to explore assistance from Jewish organizations after his release.

Many bochurim remained even longer to continue programming in the women’s section.

By the time the group returned to Crown Heights later in the afternoon, they had spent nearly an entire day dedicated to Purim Mivtzoim—following an already full night of activities inside the facility.

After the visit, Rabbi Tevel gathered many of the participating bochurim for a lively Purim farbrengen, reflecting on the experiences of the day and continuing the joy of the Yom Tov together.

Although a visit is not planned for Pesach, the bochurim will be sending Pesach supplies to ensure that the Jewish inmates can properly observe the Yom Tov.

And for the bochurim, the image of inmates eagerly stepping forward to wrap tefillin served as a quiet reminder that even in a place like Rikers Island, the joy of Purim and the opportunity to perform a mitzvah can reach every Jew.