ח מש ם ירופ גח - Squarespace

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PURIM

HAPPY PURIM ‫חג פורים שמח‬ CHAHG Poo-REEM Sah-MEHY-ach

Shalom Parents,

Can you feel it? Excitement is mounting as one of the most fun-filled dates on the Jewish calendar approaches… the holiday of Purim! Purim, a time of great celebration, falls on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. To find this year's date on the Gregorian (American) calendar, visit: www.hebcal.com/holidays/purim. Tradition has it that “WHEN ADAR B E G I N S , O U R J OY I N C R E A S E S .” On Purim we read Megillat Esther, the biblical story that tells how the Jewish people were saved from a wicked man named Haman. It is customary for young and old to dress in costume on Purim to add to the merriment.

Color and decorate this Purim puppet show!

These pages include activities, fun facts and lots of ideas for enjoying Purim with children.

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The Purim Story Once upon a time, long long ago, there was a Jewish man named Mordechai who lived in Shushan, the capital of Persia. Mordechai adopted his young cousin Esther and took good care of her while she was growing up. Persia was ruled by King Ahashverosh. He lived in a beautiful palace with the queen who was named Vashti. King Ahashverosh was bossy and always wanted Queen Vashti to do things his way. One evening, he hosted a party and ordered Queen Vashti to dance in front of his friends, but she didn’t want to. Queen Vashti was brave and said “no” to the king. He was so mad that he sent her away and decided that Esther would be the new queen of Persia. A wicked man named Haman was the king’s chief advisor. He thought he was so important that people should bow down to the ground when they saw him. Mordechai was brave and said that he was Jewish and would not bow down to a person, certainly not Haman. That made Haman very angry because he wanted everyone to follow his orders and do things his way. Haman went to the king and said, “There are some people in your kingdom who have customs that are different from ours and I don’t think we want them around here anymore.” The king didn’t know what Haman was talking about but foolishly said, “OK, do what you think is best.” The king didn’t know that Haman was planning to get rid of all of the Jews in Persia. Mordechai heard about Haman’s plot and sent an urgent message to Queen

Esther at the palace. “We need your help! Please talk to the king and ask him to stop Haman from carrying out his evil plan.” Queen Esther was nervous but she was also brave. She invited the king and Haman to a special dinner where she served all of the king’s favorite foods. She invited them both for another feast the following night. King Ahashverosh was so grateful to Queen Esther that he wanted to repay her kindness. “What can I do to thank you for these lovely dinners?” he asked. Queen Esther replied, “Oh please, I need you to help me. I am Jewish and there is a wicked man who wants to get rid of me and all of the Jews, my people!” The king was shocked. “That is terrible! Who would dare to threaten you and your community?” Queen Esther pointed and said, “It’s him – Haman.” The King called for his guards and declared, “Let’s get rid of Haman instead!” Mordechai took Haman’s place as the king’s chief advisor and went to live in the palace with Queen Esther. The Jews of Persia celebrated by hosting feasts and parties, by sending mishloach manot (food packages) to one another, and by giving matanot l’evyonim (gifts of money to the poor). The Purim story reminds us to be brave and to be proud of who we are. Mordechai and Queen Vashti stood up for themselves and their values when they were being bullied. Queen Esther stood up for the entire Jewish people and saved them. Purim also reminds us that all people are unique and that differences should be celebrated!

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Embody Purim Strike a Pose

On Purim we eat triangle-shaped cookies called hamantaschen. Stand with your legs wide apart. Raise your arms straight out to your sides, shoulder height, palms down. Turn your left foot out so it is pointing in the same direction as the fingers on your left hand. While continuing to face forward, lift and lean the top part of your body to the left, over your legs. Stretch your left hand down to touch your left shin and reach your right arm straight up towards the sky. Now you’re the shape of a hamantaschen! Count how many triangles your legs, arms and body make. Repeat on the other side.

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Story Time

Mitzi the Megillah Mitzi the Megillah loves Purim!

She sees children in costumes, acting out the Purim story.

She hears the noise of graggers, blotting out Haman’s name.

She feels strong and proud, hearing about Purim’s brave heroes.

Make a Move

Purim is a time for being generous and sharing joy. Stand with your feet hip distance apart and raise your arms wide into a big V shape. Take a deep breath and stretch your arms out as far as you can. Exhale and put your hands on your heart. Inhale and open your arms big and wide again. Go back and forth with these movements a few times, imagining you are sharing joy from your heart with the rest of the world.

She smells a festive meal, getting ready to welcome guests.

She tastes yummy hamantaschen, sending baskets of treats to family and friends.

Mitzi the Megillah loves Purim!

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Hebrew Triangle-shaped cookies

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Noisemaker

‫עברית‬ King

Mask

(In Yiddish: Hamantaschen)

Festive meal

(In Yiddish: Gragger)

Scroll

Queen

‫מסכה‬

‫אזני המן‬

‫סעודה‬

‫רעשן‬

‫מגילה‬

‫מלכה‬

‫מלך‬

mahl-KAH

MEH-lech

Mah-seh-CHAH

Ohz-NAY Hah-MAHN

seh-oo-DAH

rah-ah-SHAHN

meh-gee-LAH

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Library: ADAR AHASHVEROSH COSTUME ESTHER FEAST GRAGGER HAMANTASCHEN KING MASK MEGILLAH MORDECHAI PERSIA QUEEN SHUSHAN VASHTI

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Family Activities Looking for a public megillah reading, carnival, or other family-friendly Purim event? Contact your local Jewish community concierge: Kesher South Peninsula, Ronit: [email protected] Kesher Marin, Deborah: [email protected] Sprout East Bay, Liora: [email protected] Wear costumes to a local megillah reading. Shake a gragger or other noisemaker to blot out Haman’s name from the story. Try making your own using recycled materials. Host or attend a festive meal to celebrate the holiday. Bake hamantaschen from an online recipe and let your children choose creative fillings. Send or deliver mishloach manot (food packages of hamantaschen or other treats) to friends and family. Give matanot l’evyonim, monetary gifts, to at least two people in need. Put on a Purim shpiel (a silly Purim play) or a puppet show. Make masks! Use these templates or make your own: http://tinyurl.com/purimmasks Explore a list of children’s books about Purim: http://tinyurl.com/purimstories Listen to the megillah with this iPhone app: http://tinyurl.com/iphonemegillah Listen to Purim songs: http://www.hebrewsongs.com/purim.htm

Interested in Jewish learning opportunities for families with young children? Contact Deb Fink, Director of the Family Education and Engagement Initiative: [email protected] or 415-751-6983 x153

HAPPY PURIM! The Jewish news weekly of Northern California