It's PURIM and We've Got the Whole Megillah is sponsored by PJ Library
We are officially KICKING OFF Jewish Dress-up Day- also known as the Jewish Festival of Purim, and lucky for you It's PURIM and We've Got the Whole Megillah. This year, the holiday falls on March 9th-10th and it is Celebrated by Dressing up in costumes, Reading of an Ancient Scroll (Book of Esther) and Sharing Gifts of Food.
But if I can be perfectly honest here- one of the main reasons I love this holiday is because as a Jew so many of our holidays are times that we are encouraged to grieve for the loss of loved ones, to atone for our sins and basically at least for me- just another opportunity to ruminate in and ponder my guilt.
Which is why when PURIM ROLLS AROUND well it is finally time to just bask in the glow of marshmallows, chocolate treats, an excuse to dress up in a totally inappropriate outfit, drink and be merry.
Keep reading for some basic Purim Stuff every one should know- such as a great recipe for hamentashen and the scoop on on PJ Library’s Unique, Family-Friendly Ideas Enliven Your Family Celebrations this March!
It's PURIM and We've Got the Whole Megillah
The early springtime holiday of Purim, with all of its festive fun, is an especially accessible holiday for children.
On Purim, it’s customary to listen to the biblical Book of Esther (also known as the Megillah in Hebrew), put on comic productions of the story of Purim called purimspiels (Yiddish for “plays”), dress up in costumes as the famous characters from the story, bake (and eat!) hamantaschen, shake Purim groggers (noisemakers), give gift baskets (mishloach manot) to friends and do tzedakah and other good works to spread joy and help the needy.
This Purim, PJ Library wants to help families celebrate in fun and unique ways, so they’ve created 18 great ideas sure to spur creativity and togetherness. Whether your children have never dressed for Purim before or baked a classic, delicious hamantaschen – or you’re just tired of the same old routine – check out these enjoyable activities! And, for more, families are welcome to visit PJ Library’s Purim Hub!
If you currently receive PJ Library books, be on the lookout for the special February mailing, which contains a Purim gift basket to make and decorate!
A program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, PJ Library sends more than two hundred ten thousand expertly curated books to families raising Jewish children – every month, at no cost to subscribers. Families raising Jewish children may subscribe here , tapping in to a wealth of information, parenting resources and community events as well as free books.
It's PURIM and We've Got the Whole Megillah but Just what is the The Festival of Purim? Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia in the 4th century BCE from an evil decree that called for annihilation of the Jews when the evil Haman had the king enact a decree to wipe out the Jews from throughout his kingdom. The king later abolished the decree by the request of his wife queen Esther. In 2006 the movie “One Night with the King” was based loosely on the story of Purim.
Keep reading for ways Jews around the world to celebrate the joyous holiday by observing these three traditions!
Read the Megillah Head to your synagogue to hear the whole megillah (Book of Esther) on the evening of PURIM and again on Purim DAY ( if you can in a costume!). The megillah, a.k.a. “The Book of Esther,” is the scroll that tells the Purim story. Listen to the public reading twice: once on Purim night, and again on Purim day. This year, that’s . Pay attention—it is crucial to hear every word. You can visit Chabad and enter in your zip code to find a megillah reading to attend!
Put on a costume and be merry! This year my son opted for a COMPLETELY homemade costume ( which I highly recommend as it FORCES kids to use their imaginations and find stuff around the house that they can cobble into a costume. This year my son got himself a sheitel (one of my mother's old wigs from the early 80's hence all that curl- although this one is kinda reminiscent of Kate Gosselin but I digress) he found a tattoo sleeve, put a pillow under his shirt ( to puff out his chest) and decided to be a wrestler named “looking good”. I also think it gave him a sense of accomplishment- he was able to create something utterly unique and original without anyone's help or feedback ( i had some for him but he told me I needed to back off).
Give a gift of food to friends. Which brings us to Hamantaschen-the quintessential Purim treat! Get the original iteration of the hamantaschen (often filled with prunes, poppyseeds, or almond paste) at Kveller .
Get the recipe for S'more hamentashen. Graham cracker dough with a gooey marshmallow and chocolate center.
The Nosher has an exquisite recipe for a hamentashen with dark chocolate ganache with salted caramel drizzle
And Donate to the needy (Yes my kids will be coming to your door delivering packages of food- and expecting a quarter;) For everything you ALWAYS wanted to know about Purim (but were afraid to ask) visit: CHABAD !
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