Purim, or the "Lottery Feast," is a joyous holiday that recounts the saving of the Jews from a threatened massacre during the Persian period (539-330 BCE). The story of Purim is recounted in the Book of Esther, whose eponymous heroine plays the leading role in saving her people. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with wild abandon?costumes, parties, and carnivals, and with the giving of gifts to friends and the poor.
Purim Resource 1: Quick Facts
Below you can download decorative holiday "Quick Facts" cards that can be easily used on bulletin boards, as place settings, or as informational handouts at your Purim event. You can also view short, informative articles on Purim.
Make traditional Purim pastries! Hamantaschen are triangular cookies that represent the hat that Haman, Queen Esther's nemesis wore. There are countless recipes, but try this great one from MyJewishLearning.com.
Purim Carnival and Costume Contest
Purim is traditionally celebrated through parties and carnivals. In the Purim story, Esther feels the need to hide her Jewish identity from those around her, and during contemporary Purim celebrations, Jews represent this by dressing in costumes and masks (In fact in Israel, Purim is celebrated much as Halloween is in America!). Throw your own carnival and costume contest.
Make Mishloach Manot
It is a mitzvah to give gifts of food on Purim. Assemble mishloach manot (food packages) for people at your school, or for the needy in your community through a local food bank.
Purim Resource 3: Videos
The site below includes a range of Purim-related video clips.
There are numerous themes which can frame Purim programs and discussions, or which can be used as a basis on which to partner with other student groups or communities. We have listed some themes and workshop ideas below. TCI is happy to come to your school to help you present these or other interesting themes or provide you with resources to help you facilitate discussions of your own!
Living behind a Mask / In the Closet
In the Purim story, Esther feels the need to hide her Jewish identity from those around her, and during contemporary Purim celebrations and carnivals, Jews represent this by dressing in costumes and masks. Other groups, most notably Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning people, continue to wrestle with challenges related to living "in the closet."
Feminism / Gender Equality
While the Purim story ends with Queen Esther exerting significant influence, it begins with her predecessor, Queen Vashti, who is banished for asserting herself and refusing degrading orders from the King. Each woman represents a unique case study in feminist activism.
The Book of Esther Revisited: Sexuality, Political Power, and African American Abolitionist Women
Intrepid African American women in the nineteenth century looked to the female characters in the Biblical Book of Esther as role models for their own abolitionist work. In this program we explore the intersection of sexuality, gender, and political power through cross-generational conversations between women in the Book of Esther and nineteenth century African American abolitionists.
Divine Intervention vs. Human Self-Determination
God is not mentioned once in the Book of Esther (Purim scroll), leaving questions as to whether?or to what extent?God may have been involved in guiding the events of the story.
Hamantaschen Bake 
