Purim 5780: Our World To Come

Valley Beth Shalom created the Mishloach Manot initiative in March of 2020. Our first community-wide Mishloach Manot project was given the theme "Our World To Come" – and little did we know what was soon to come...

Two days after delivering 1,500 individual packages to our community members, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and the Safer At Home order was issued across Los Angeles.

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Our inaugural Mishloach Manot ordering system required a third-party provider (HappyPurim.com) to place and complete orders. We proudly offered ordering right through our own vbs.org website in 2021.

We asked students and staff around campus to explain what Mishloach Manot are to our community.
Here's what they had to say:

What was included in our 2020 Mishloach Manot package?

We envisioned "Our World To Come" before discovering what our world would come to in the short days following Purim 2020 – before the lock downs, self-quarantining, social distancing, mask-wearing, isolation and So. Much. Zoom.

Our first community-wide Mishloach Manot package is what we imagined a time capsule from the future to contain. Inside, a vision of our world to come - a planet that is peaceful, sustainable and full of well-being. A world that we hope can be transformed from dream into reality. A world we create together. We wished out community a Chag Purim Sameach - Happy Purim - may we be inspired to build a better future for us all, for our world to come.

The package contained:

• The Vessel: Each Mishloach Manot was thoughtfully packaged in a reusable cooler bag. Recipients were invited to enjoy the contents within and reuse this bag as a reminder of the sustainable world we wish to build together.
  
  God placed us in the Garden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15)
   
• Bamboo Straw: These bamboo straws are a great way to enjoy a cool drink while reducing our environmental footprint. Take your reusable bamboo straw everywhere and help save our planet one sip at a time.
  
  Do not spoil or destroy My world, for if you do there will be no one to repair it (Midrash) 
   
• Seed Bomb: Bombs away! This plantable paper heart is embedded with flower seeds. Plant this beautiful heart-shaped seed bomb and watch flowers burst into bloom. Let’s leave the world better than we found it.
  
  Just as my ancestors planted for me, I will plant for the future (Talmud)
   
• Gratitude Journal: The cover of our gratitude journal reads "Every Day is a Miracle." Inspire yourself. Count your blessings! Write down the things that you are grateful for each day. It’s not happiness that brings us gratitude. It’s gratitude that brings us happiness.
  
  God obligates us to recite at least 100 blessings each day (Midrash Rabba)
   
• Shabbat Candles: The future of Judaism is vibrant and Shabbat will always remain a holy opportunity for soulful rejuvenation. Light ‘em up!
  
  More than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews (Ahad Ha’am)
   
• Secret Treasure Coin: "The Future is Now." Open your smartphone camera in the Facebook app and discover what surprises await you in the Purim of the future… This showpiece gift unlocked an Augmented  Reality experience by using technology to superimpose interactive virtual objects – sounds, images and text – on the world we see. Place the Secret Treaure Coin on a flat surface and reveal its hidden augmented realities, including Purim gragger, boombox noisemaker, boo Haman and more!
   
• Noshify The Future – Hamantaschen: This traditional Purim pastry is shaped like the triangular hat or ears of Haman, the villain of the Purim story. Eat your way into the future, where we will all be free from the powers of evil. Boo Haman, Yum Hamantaschen!
   
• Za'atar Peace Mix: Za’atar is a savory and versatile middle-eastern spice blend used on everything from baked breads to vegetables or to season olive oil, chicken or fish. This mix is produced by Sindyanna of Galilee, a visionary non-profit led by Israeli and Arab women working to build bridges between communities and promote peace from the ground up.
  
  Seek peace and pursue it (Psalms 34:15)
   
• Equal Exchange Chocolate: These delicious Fair Trade kosher chocolates benefit small-scale farmers in Latin America. (Organic, Soy-free, Gluten-free) How sweet it is to build a better world! We aspire to a future where integrity guides our daily practices.
  
  The greatest level of Tzedakah is to help one learn to sustain themselves (Maimonides)
   
• Dried Figs: The holidays all have a way of reconnecting us to the Land of Israel. Figs are one of the seven species sacred to Israel and the prophet Hosea likened the Jewish people to the sweet fruit of the fig tree. Figs symbolize the health of the nation, both spiritually and physically.
  
  If I forget thee, O Jerusalem (Psalm 137:5)