🎭 Purim פּוּרִים
February or March Ages 4–11
Purim is the happiest holiday of the year! We dress up in costumes, read the story of brave Queen Esther, give food gifts and help people in need.
💬 Say: Purim Sameach! — Happy Purim!
📅 When is Purim?
| 2026 | Begins at sundown on Mon, Mar 2, 2026 · ends at nightfall the next day |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Begins at sundown on Mon, Mar 22, 2027 · ends at nightfall the next day |
| 2028 | Begins at sundown on Sat, Mar 11, 2028 · ends at nightfall the next day |
Jewish days begin at sundown. Dates follow the calendar used outside Israel; some holidays are a day shorter in Israel.
📖 The story
Long ago in Persia, King Ahasuerus chose Esther to be his queen. Esther was Jewish, but she kept it a secret, as her cousin Mordecai advised.
The king’s advisor, Haman, was angry because Mordecai would not bow down to him. Haman made a wicked plan to harm all the Jews of the kingdom, and chose the day by casting lots — "purim" in Hebrew.
Queen Esther was brave. She invited the king and Haman to a feast and told the king the truth: she was Jewish, and Haman wanted to harm her people. The king stopped Haman’s plan, and sadness turned into joy. Today the story is read from a scroll called the Megillah, and everyone makes noise with groggers whenever Haman’s name is read!
✨ How we celebrate
- Hearing the Megillah (Book of Esther)
- Costumes and Purim carnivals
- Mishloach manot — food gifts to friends
- Matanot la’evyonim — gifts to people in need
- Eating hamantaschen
- A festive Purim meal
🔤 Hebrew words to learn
| mask | מַסֵּכָה |
| grogger | רַעֲשָׁן |
| queen | מַלְכָּה |
| scroll | מְגִלָּה |
🙏 A blessing: Reading the Megillah
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה.
Say it: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetsivanu al mikra megillah.
It means: Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us concerning the reading of the Megillah.
The reader says this before reading the Megillah, together with the other customary blessings.
✂️ Crafts & activities
Make a Grogger
You need: Two paper plates or a small plastic bottle, Dry beans or rice, Tape, Markers
- Put a handful of beans on one plate (or in the bottle).
- Tape the second plate on top all around (or close the bottle tightly).
- Decorate it and shake it whenever you hear "Haman"!
Mishloach Manot Bag
You need: Paper bag, Stickers, Two kinds of ready-to-eat treats
- Decorate the bag with masks and crowns.
- Put in at least two different foods, like a cookie and an apple.
- Give it to a friend or neighbor on Purim.
🖍️ Purim coloring pages
Purim quiz
Who was the brave queen in the Purim story?
What do we use to make noise when Haman’s name is read?
What are hamantaschen?
What is mishloach manot?
What does "purim" mean?
💭 Let’s talk
Esther was brave and spoke up. When is it important to speak up?
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