Read/act the Esther story; make mishloach manot.
Children wonder and discover; you facilitate more than you lecture.
- How does Purim show the importance of being proud of who we are?
- How does it connect us to our community?
Purim celebrates Queen Esther revealing her Jewish identity to save her people — a story of courage and Jewish pride. We read the megillah, give gifts, and hold a carnival.
- Purim — lots
- Megillah — Esther scroll
- Mishloach manot — gifts of food
- “Why did Esther hide she was Jewish?”
- It was dangerous — and the story’s power is that she bravely revealed it to save everyone.
- Children explain the Purim story and how Esther’s Jewish identity saved her people.
- Children experience community customs (mishloach manot, megillah, carnival).
Frame Esther’s pride as a model for every child being proud of who they are.
Folktale. Esther’s Hidden Courage (Megillah) — a hidden queen reveals herself to save her people.
Changemaker. Henrietta Szold — named her great women’s organization Hadassah — Queen Esther’s Hebrew name.
How is bravely being yourself the same and different in Esther’s time and ours?
“We celebrated Esther’s courage and Jewish pride. Try at home: deliver mishloach manot and talk about being proud of who you are.”