Purim
Purim commemorates the Jewish people being saved from an evil plot against them in ancient Persia, emphasizing God’s hidden role throughout Jewish history. Arguably the most fun holiday on the Jewish calendar, with deep Kabbalistic secrets and social justice messages, it is celebrated with costumes, feasts, and gifts of food and money to friends and those in need. KKL-JNF connects this special day to the Land of Israel with creative activities in its forests throughout the country, many of which include enchanted characters from the Purim story dressed up in costume along Israel’s beautiful trails.Â
E-Learning
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What Is Purim?
This amusing and informative video (05:04) presents an excellent overview of the origins, significance and customs of Purim, including an animated summary of the Purim story from Megillat Esther and an introduction
Why Do Jews Wear Costumes on Purim?
Produced by My Jewish Learning, this introductory video (01:32) provides several historical, spiritual and practical explanations for the custom of dressing up in costume on Purim.Â
A Sassy Retelling of the Purim Story
This amusing animated video (04:08) presents a modern retelling of the Purim story from Megillat Esther. Useful for people of all ages and backgrounds, this video was produced by BimBam, which creates and distributes fun,
God is in Control: The Spiritual Message of the Purim Story
From Aish.com, this animated video (04:46) retells the story of Purim as told in Megillat Esther, focusing on how the events of the story can be viewed as either serendipitous
Why Do Jews Eat Hamantaschen on Purim?
Produced by The Nosher, a Jewish food blog, this video (01:11)Â explains the history behind the Ashkenazi custom to eat hamantaschen (triangular shaped filled pastries) on Purim.
The Significance of the Fast of Esther
Produced by Aleph Beta Academy, this video (09:17) explores the historical and spiritual significance behind Taanit Esther, the day-long fast observed immediately prior to Purim. The video links our fast
The History & Spiritual Significance of Hamantaschen
This short video (01:12) from Chabad.org suggestions several different reasons why we eat Hamantaschen on Purim. This thorough article by Rabbi Yehuda Shurpin delves deeper into the historical and spiritual symbolism behind
Drop Your Mask: Why We Dress Up on Purim
Produced by Aish.com, this insightful video (02:29) features Rabbi Yaakov Cohen reveals the deep psychological and spiritual wisdom behind the custom of wearing costumes on Purim. He explains how wearing
Matanot L’Evyonim: Gifts to the Poor
From the Zdaka Center in Israel, this thorough article introduces the commandment to give gifts to the poor on Purim, including the roots and significance of the mitzvah, and when,
Mishloach Manot: Now & Then
This video (01:12) from the Central Synagogue Reform Congregation introduces the custom of Mishloach Manot – delivering gifts of food to our friends on Purim – including the original source of
The Festive Purim Meal: Seudat Purim
From the website of the Orthodox Union, this thorough article outlines the spiritual significance and halachic guidelines of the Seudat Purim – the festive meal eaten on Purim – including
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The Fountainheads: Raise Your Mask
A parody of “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk, this high-energy music video features The Fountainheads singing a fun, empowering song about the story of Purim and the courage it takes to do the right thing. The
Medley of Traditional Hebrew Purim Songs
From Brazillian musician, Micha Gamerman, this upbeat animated music video (08:26), is a festive medley of nine of the most popular, traditional Hebrew songs sung on Purim, often during the Seudat
Alicia Jo Rabins: I’m Done Dressing Up – A Feminist Folk Song for Vashti
This creative animated music video features Alicia Jo Rabins singing an original fiddle tune based on the midrash that when King Achashverosh commanded Queen Vashti to appear at his feast wearing her
Yonina: If Purim Was A Pop Song
In this video, husband-wife team, Yonina, get dressed up and tell an abridged musical version of the Purim story through a medley of modern English pop songs, including The Black Eyed Peas’ “I’ve
Mandisa: Born For This (Esther)
This dramatic music video presents a song by contemporary Christian artist, Mandisa, which attests to the courage and faith it took for Esther to approach King Achashverosh uninvited and reveal
Hop! Mayne Hamentashen: A Yiddish Folksong for Purim
Sung in Yiddish with English subtitles, this upbeat Yiddish folk song tells the story of a woman making Hamantaschen to deliver as part of her Mishloach Manot on Purim. The
The Maccabeats: Purim Song
This video presents a parody of “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk from the Maccabeats, an all-male Jewish a cappella group that originally formed as Yeshiva University’s student vocal choir. The lyrics, which can be seen
4 Mitzvot 4 Purim: A Catchy Children’s Song
In this sweet video, Eliana Light presents a catchy children’s song about the four mitzvot of Purim – reading the Purim story from Megillat Esther, enjoying a festive Purim seudah (feast), delivering Mishloach
Purim Senses Song: Experiencing The Mitzvot
Written and performed by Rabbi Yossi Berktin, an Orthodox children’s educator and musician, this catchy kids’ video uses song and animation to show how we enjoy Purim with all five of our
What Else?
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Educational Resource: Purim, Peoplehood & Collective Responsibility
Through a hands-on activity, text study and dvar Torah, this educational resource explores the elements of Jewish peoplehood and collective responsibility found in the Purim story and customs. Created by Makom, the educational wing of
Easy & Unique Hamantaschen
From ReformJudaism.org, this video (01:30) provides a basic introduction to the custom of eating Hamantaschen on Purim, along with four creative filling ideas.Â
Another Star/Another Queen: A Purim Spoken Word Poem
Written and performed by Rachel Kann, this creative video (05:57)Â presents a feminist spoken word poem inspired by Vashti’s refusal to comply to the demands of King Achashverosh. The lyrics can
Purim on the Streets of Israel
Produced by i24News, this short news clip (04:38)Â shares the spirit of Purim in Israel, where people of all ages throughout the country dress up and enjoy public parades and street
The NCSY Megillah Companion For Teens
Created by NCSY, an Orthodox organization dedicated to inspiring Jewish youth to engage with Judaism, this booklet summarizes each chapter of Megillat Esther, and provides accompanying ideas, images and activities to make the story
3 Creative Mishloach Manot Ideas
Created by ReformJudaism.org, this video (01:14)Â provides some basic information about how to fulfill the commandment of Mishloach Manot – delivering gifts of food on Purim – plus three creative ideas
A Purim Poem: A Blessing for the Next Generation
Written by Isabella R. Hess, this thoughtful Purim poem blesses the next generation of Jewish children with the qualities exemplified by the characters in the Purim story – the courage of
Purim Greetings: Poetic Purim Blessings
Written by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, the director of the The Meaningful Life Center, this poem blesses the reader with the profound spiritual secrets of Purim. Purim Greetings May you be turned
A Feminist Ritual: Vashti & Purim Flags
This post presents a new Purim ritual created by Ma’yan, a Jewish feminist, social justice and leadership training program for teen girls. They created flags celebrating the courage of two
A Feminist Megillah Reading Ritual: Verses for Esther
This post presents an innovative feminist ritual that some communities have adopted during the reading of Megillat Esther on Purim. Traditionally, four verses are read aloud in unison by the
A Halachic Discussion of Women’s Obligation in Megillat Esther
In this video (08:40), Rabbi Joel Finkelstein summarizes the various Orthodox perspectives in the halachic discussion regarding a women’s obligation to hear the reading of Megillat Esther on Purim, as well as whether
15 Creative Hamantaschen Recipes
This article from Jewlish.com provides links to fifteen of the most creative and delicious sweet and savory Hamantaschen recipes, including taco, s’more and sushi inspired recipes.Â
Traditional Purim Foods for Your Seudat Purim
An excerpt from Teaching Jewish Holidays: History Values and Activities by Robert Goodman, this article on My Jewish Learning introduces traditional Purim foods eaten in different communities and the symbolism behind them, including hamentaschen
Purim Food Quiz
This five question quiz from My Jewish Learning tests your knowledge of traditional Purim foods and the significance behind them.Â
Rituals & Ceremonies
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Printable English Megillat Esther With Commentary
Published by the Kehot Publication society of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, this 14-page long PDF document is an English translation of Megillat Esther, the biblical scroll which tells the story of
Al Hanissim for Grace After Meals on Purim
This post presents a cantorial rendition of the “Al HaNissim” prayer added to the Grace After Meals on Purim, along with the Hebrew and English texts of the prayer. The
Printable Hebrew & English Megillat Esther
From Chabad.org, this 13-page long PDF document contains the side-by-side Hebrew and English text of Megillat Esther, the biblical scroll which tells the story of Purim, as well as a
Traditional Practices - Learn How
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What is the Jewish Holiday of Purim?
This succinct article by Ariela Pelaia provides a thorough introduction to the basics of Purim. Published on ThoughtCo, a website that provides in-depth articles about a wide range of topics to a general audience,
How To Make Hamantaschen
Produced by The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, this short instructional video (01:34)Â demonstrates how to make dairy-free hamantaschen, including how to make the dough and form and fill the
The Halachic Guidelines of Giving Mishloach Manot
In this practical introductory video (01:47), Rabbi Moshe Elefant of the Orthodox Union explains the halachic guidelines for fulfilling the commandment of Mishloach Manot – delving gifts of food on Purim,
Chabad’s Purim How-To Guide
From Chabad.org, the official website of the Orthodox Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch movement, this thorough How-To Guide for Purim contains a brief summary of the story of Purim and everything you need
The Laws of the Purim Meal & Drinking
In this informative video (03:59), Rabbi Yaakov Laredo, an Orthodox community leader and educator, summaries the laws of Seudat Purim, the festive meal eaten on Purim, including who is obligated,
How To Form Perfect Hamantaschen
From the Lil Miss Cakes baking blog, this instructional video (02:35) provides tips on how to fold, pinch and form perfect looking hamantaschen that won’t open up in the oven.
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