Get into the holiday spirit with these family-friendly activities
Much like Michael Winterbottom’s movie, 24 Hour Party People, Purim is a time for round-the clock celebration. But it’s also a fun time for the little ’uns to play dress-up, gorge on hamantaschen and make a heck of a racket aided by handheld noisemakers known as groggers (Yiddish for rattle). Although the festivities don’t begin until the evening of Wednesday 16 March, running through to the following night, we’re already in high spirits thinking about five family-friendly ways to get set for Purim 2022.
BOOKS
Get ages 6+ involved in a spot of educational quizzing, puzzles, games and colouring-in, all of which can be found in The Big Book of Purim Fun (£7.50, Jewish Chai Life) by Joanna Maria. For slightly older kids (ages 8-12), Esther Didn’t Dream of Being Queen (£11, Apples & Honey Press) by Allison Ofanansky offers a lively retelling of the Purim story, beautifully illustrated by Valentina Belloni.
FILM & TV
Time to revisit some oldies but goodies. Forget Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee. We’re taking kids TV back to the streets – Sesame Street that is and in particular their Jewish spin-off, Shalom Sesame. Originally aired in 1986, based on the Israeli version of the show, a treasure trove of episodes can be found online at shalomsesame.org, including Be Happy, It’s Purim, guest-starring Natalie Portman as an elephant. For an older audience, we look to mockumentary king Christopher Guest and his 2006 satirical comedy For Your Consideration (rated 12). The film follows of a group of indie filmmakers attempting to cobble together a Purim drama about a Jewish family called the Pishers, with cameos from Richard Kind, Sandra Oh and Ricky Gervais. Available on Amazon Prime and Hulu.
ART
Each year Purim marks the bravery of the Persian Queen Esther who, along with her cousin and guardian Mordechai, thwarts a plan for Jewish genocide led by the king’s evil chief advisor Haman. You can help bring the story to life with a trip to the Jewish Museum London, where you can see a 1920s wooden grogger (the noise of which drowns out the mention of Haman’s name) or various megillahs (the scroll containing the Book of Esther), including an ivory one thought to date back to 18th-century Italy and another with origins in either Persia or Morocco. On the museum’s website you can even download and design your own megillah.
THEATRE
North London’s Jewish community centre, JW3, always hosts a series of parties, craft workshops and storytelling events in the run-up to Purim and this year is no different. Particular highlights include Party On, Purim (13 Mar, 2pm), a daytime carnival for ages 2-8, featuring superhero costumes, games, songs, dancing and heaps of hamantaschen. Plus Amethyst Theatre Studio’s Puppet Show for Purim (6 Mar, 3pm), a colourful afternoon of fairy tales for ages 2-5. Big kids (we’re talking 18+) may also want to check the Young JW3 Purim Cabaret (10 Mar, 8pm), a chaotic night of comedy, music and fancy-dress.
MUSIC
Get in the party mood with Purimania by Danna Banana, aka American singersongwriter Dan Cohen. This humorous album from 2018 is a well-produced, theatrical retelling of the Purim story with lyrical wit backed by slick guitar and piano licks that should please parents just as much as the kids. While not exactly music, the PJ Library’s podcast Have I Got a Story for You! is also a great place to look for essential family listening. The Purim Story episode delves into the folk tales behind why we dress up, eat sweet foods and celebrate with each other.
By Danielle Goldstein
This article appears in the Winter 2022 issue of JR.