The principles of Purim

Angelique Flores

Eating chocolate-chip hamantasch, dressing up as a queen and giving away

food baskets to friends are some of the things the first-graders at the

Hebrew Academy are looking forward to next week.

From sundown Monday to sundown Tuesday, Purim will be celebrated. One of

the most joyous and festive Jewish holidays, it commemorates the

salvation of the Jews as recounted in the Book of Esther. The story took

place about 2,000 years ago in Persia, what is present-day Iran. King

Achashveirosh’s advisor, Haman, plotted to wipe out the Jewish

population. These plans were halted by the efforts of Queen Esther and

Mordechai.

“We celebrate that the Jews were saved from death,” said Rabbi Moishe

Engel, assistant principal and first-grade teacher at the Huntington

Beach academy.

On Purim, children and adults dress in costumes.

“About 10 to 15 years ago, you used to dress up as a character from the

story,” Engel said.

Now children will arrive to school Tuesday dressed as an alien, a ‘50s

girl or any costume they choose.

Among the many traditions followed on Purim is the lively service held on

the first night, which is also a time of fasting. During the service, the

Book of Esther is read from the megillah, or scroll, with interjections

of noise makers and hissing each time Haman’s name is read aloud.

Another tradition is the making of shalach manots, or food baskets, for

friends. These baskets can be made from anything -- wine and cake, or

candy and juice. One of the customary foods often included is hamantasch,

a triangular pastry with filling.

Money is also collected and donated to the poor.

“On Purim, we’ll have someone dressed as a poor man to collect money

throughout the school,” Engel said.

Finally, a feast will be held Tuesday. In the meantime, the students are

coloring paper puppets of the main characters of the story: the king,

Queen Esther, Mordechai, Haman and the king’s first wife. Teachers are

decorating walls with masks, and parents are preparing food baskets.

While Sara Boland, 7, can’t wait to do the dances, Mushka Rapoport, 7,

can’t wait to dress up.

Sara Sandlaufer, 7, enjoys the whole experience.

“I like going to friends’ houses, giving food baskets and wishing

everyone a happy Purim,” she said.