Every year at Passover we re-tell the same celebrated story of Exodus so that as Jews, our children and our children’s children will know from where we came and the origins of our freedom. There is another story that we celebrate by re-telling every year, but for a different reason. On the night before March 8th (the 14th of ADAR) we will gather together, perhaps dress up as Queens and Superheroes, and listen to the story of Esther.

Although we do have the four glasses of wine and an abundance of Kosher for Passover food for the Passover seders, Purim is a much more joyous occasion – more a celebration of perseverance than a thankful remembrance of freedom. The story of how Queen Esther saved the Jews from annihilation serves as a reminder, not only to remember her bravery and the strength of the Jewish people, but also to keep our faith that with G-d’s help, every generation will have an Esther to stand up to the Haman’s of the world.

To get into the festive spirit of Purim this year, here are a few ideas for a creative holiday:

     • Make hamantaschen – create your own recipe or try one of these: JewishRecipes.com

     • Put together some small shaloch manot to hand out to family and friends

     • Make your own grogger - a plastic cup, some beans, and tape is all you need!

If this is the first Purim you are celebrating, here are a few key terms:

     • Megillah – the scroll containing the Book of Esther, read the evening the holiday begins

     • shaloch manot (short for mishloach manot) – a small bag of treats to hand out

     • hamantaschen – a traditional three-point shaped cookie with fruit filling

     • grogger – a noise-maker used to drown out Haman’s name during the Megillah reading

       Find out more at: Judaism.com