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Two Before Purim, Two Before Pesach: Arba Parshiot

This project offers a pathway of exploration through the construction of the identity of our people. By means of looking at the combination of the Arba Parshiot, four special readings in the weeks before Purim and Pesach, we learn about the strengths and limitations of each community member; the responsibility of each person to the other; the purity that allows us to reenter the Mikdash and get on with the business of living in a world in which G-d’s presence is expressed in our ancient objective of becoming a holy nation.

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Esther and Joseph: Veiling and Unveiling

The Hebrew Bible should be understood not as a book but as a library. That means that within it we can find many voices talking together, debating together and complementing one other. In this way, based on the rich intertextuality presented to us by the various stories, the author connects the figure of Esther with the stories of Joseph, attempting to work through the common points and the apparent differences, both in form and content.

By Rabbi Joshua Kullock

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Inside the Megillah: Purim Personalities

Behind the graggers and the costumes, the noshes and the Megillah reading, Purim speaks of what human actions we value and what we detest. Through the activities in his lesson students have the opportunity to examine texts from the Megillah, from Talmud, Midrash, Medieval (Rashi) and contemporary sources all related to the main characters of the Purim story. From each text studied a final end product will be created that can then be integrated to accompany the reading of the Megillah in class or in the synagogue to share this style of learning with the community.

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Let’s Eat! Good guys, bad guys, Jewish holidays and young children

Young children are bombarded with good guys vs. bad guys by the media every day. The Jewish holidays from winter to spring provide their own list of bad guys out to defeat the Jews. How do we help our youngest children understand that being Jewish is not ultimately about the fight for our survival, but about striving to constantly make the world a better place? A closer look at the story of Purim helps to address this question.

by Maxine Segal Handelman

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Purim: “A day for sending gifts to one another”

The following program proposes a revision of the story of Megillat Esther and its relationship to the social mitzvot mishloach manot (sending presents) and matanot la’evyonim (gifts to the poor), based on illustrating traditional ritual objects. The different activities include learning the theoretical aspects of Purim and proposals for putting into practice the social and communal values taught us by the Megillah.

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Purim: A Time to Think About How We Live

Purim is a wonderful and colorful time for us as Jews. It is a time of celebration, joy and a lot of fun. To be sure, we will celebrate the pride of being Jewish, party, eat fun foods, spend time with friends, and otherwise enjoy this season, which will coincide for many of us with the start of spring, the season of Mardi Gras, and so many other opportunities for a festive and party atmosphere.

In the midst of this joy and happiness, it is also appropriate to consider a serious side of Purim and important lessons it brings to our lives. Specifically, in these lessons we will look at the many behaviors that are associated with the celebration of Purim and clarify what it means to be joyful within appropriate and acceptable limits. While some may be inclined to use the opportunity of this joyful holiday to “let go” and engage excessively in recreational behaviors, the point is actually to learn to “let go” within acceptable parameters. Judaism is so much about balance and here is a wonderful opportunity to extrapolate important lessons about this balance from within the celebration of this story and holiday.

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The Celebration of Purim


The following project proposes introducing participants of 4 and 5 years of age to the history of Purim. The children will immerse themselves in a time of kings and in customs different from those of the present day. They will become familiar with Purim’s traditions by way of diverse artistic, literary, and playful experiences.

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