Get prepping for Purim…

One of the most fun-filled Jewish holidays is fast approaching (Purim starts on the evening of Monday 6 March), so check out our pick of the festive activities – featuring something to suit every member of the family…

THE BUDDING ARTISTS

Let’s practise together: Haman… Boo! Well, there’s no point booing without a gregger (rattle), is there? The Union for Reform Judaism (reformjudaism.org) has found ways to make ultra-noisy greggers, using easily accessible household objects – so your family will be well prepared for drowning out the name of evil Haman (again, boo!). Make it Jewish (makeitjewish.com) has tips for making paper plate masks on its website and London’s JW3 is holding Purim costume crafting sessions.

THE MASTER CHEFS

One of the key features of Purim is hamantaschen, the three-sided pastry goodies in the shape of Haman’s hat. You can find a list of 100 of the best hamantaschen recipes at Kosher.com. There are also ready-made hamantaschen available in most kosher bakeries as well as some non-kosher outlets. Rinkoffs (non-kosher) is worth a trip for the atmosphere alone. Set up by Hyman Rinkoff, who arrived in London from Kyiv in 1911, the shop and bakery sells a massive range of challah, strudel, cheesecake and pastries. Brackmans Bakery (kosher) in Salford is where Mancunians can pick up the delicious triangle treats.

THE INQUISITIVE MINDS

Brush up on your knowledge of the Purim story with your children by watching this rapping, singing, rope-skipping, fourminute Purim story on Bimbam.com. For bookworms, One, Two, Three, Purim! (PJ Library) by Naomi Shulman, illustrated by Nora Hilb is sure to get little ones geared up for the festival: it follows a girl and her dog as they make hamantaschen, dress up, take gifts of sweets to her friends and go to a Purim party. For older children, Queen Esther’s Big Secret, (MazorBooks) by Sarah Mazor, translates the Esther story into short, sharp, enchanting rhymes.

THE DANCE MONKEYS

PJ Library has the music sorted. The whole family can boogie to its Purim playlist on Spotify, featuring Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Rabbi Joe Black, Mister G and The Macaroons. For Encanto lovers, The Maccabeats have produced a catchy, a cappella rendition of ‘We Don’t Talk About Haman’, available on YouTube.

THE PARTY ANIMALS

For those keen to show off their costumes, head to Purim parties across London. Chabad (chabad.org.uk) and The United Synagogue (theus.org.uk) are holding family parties. In the Midlands, King David School is hosting an Israeli themed dress-up party with prizes for the best costumes for children, teens and adults, and Solihull synagogue is hosting a family Purim celebration. Or why not hold a Purim seudah (meal) of your own?

By Dani Silver

Photos © Alamy

This article appears in the Winter 2023 issue of JR.