London rabbi to provide pop-up cheer for the homeless on Purim

A rabbi aiming to provide some pop-up cheer for the homeless at Purim this week said it was “the obvious thing to do” as he outlined an initiative with his wife to visit four shelters.

Rabbi Naftali Brawer and his wife Dina, in partnership with Mitzvah Day and JW3, have been helping to “give deep meaningful experiences” with pop-up minyanim (public prayers, requiring a minimum of ten men) and beit midrash (Jewish study halls).

Now they wants to roll out the concept of experimental minyans and plans to visit shelters across London, meeting residents and sharing Purim treats.

“We are inviting participants to bring Purim treats to JW3 where we will repack them into individual bags provided by Mitzvah Day,” explained Brawer. Dina will discuss the value of human interaction in tzedakah (charitable obligations).

“The focus of these pop up events is to give participants deep, meaningful religious experiences that they can then integrate into their everyday lives.”