Let the good times March on!

March seemed like a month-long celebration at Moishe House Montevideo. We hosted two big parties for visiting Alternative Spring Break groups brought down by Hillel Uruguay, three Purim events, a farewell party for Maia and her family, who just made Aliyah, and a congratulations party for Pato, who won the Kehila's Tanach knowledge competition and the grand prize of a free trip to Israel.

The ASB groups from the U.S. had a great time getting to know Montevideo and helping out by building emergency houses for impoverished families living in shanty towns on the outskirts. We were happy to reward their hard work with festivities at the Moishe House, and they had a ball hanging out and dancing all night on our awesome roof. For me, it was real fun to be able to sing along with someone to American songs again, seeing as how normally I only hear Cumbia and Reggaeton down here and I never know any of the words.

We did a good job extending Purim celebrations as long as possible, which was fine by everyone! We kicked off the festivities over a week early, hosting a party for the B'nei Akiva kids. Then we spent the night before Purim decorating the synagogue at Yavne, which made the atmosphere much more festive the next day at the Megilah reading. Then a week later we co-sponsored the biggest Purim party in Uruguay with Hillel. Almost 400 people came dressed in costume and danced the night away! You've gotta go check out the picks. http://moishehouse.phanfare.com/album/541556/832903#imageID=38778855

Maia was one of our regulars at Moishe House Montevideo. Had she moved anywhere besides Israel, it would have been much harder to say goodbye. It was still hard because we won't see her for awhile (for my roommates, until they move back to Israel, for me, until I visit!), but we're really happy for her and her family.

Pato is another regular, and he had spent months studying with Elkana for this Tanach competition. We were all proud of him for winning and had a fun time celebrating at Freddo, a delicious kosher ice cream parlor.

Now we're looking forward to Pesach and even more celebrations! I hope we're able to add just as much next month to local fesitivities. We're always trying to have fun down here! Until next time,

Jay Krefman