Purim Resources for Congregations to Use

We’re delighted to offer this roundup of digital resources you can share with your community – embed these resources on your website, include in your e-newsletter, or share on social media.     

Find resources to help you teach about Purim including brief descriptions of Purim customs, a summary of the M'gillat Esther and an overview of its characters, as well as ideas to incorporate social action and tzedakah into your Purim celebrations. 
 

Purim Videos

We’ve selected a few highlights from our extensive collection of Purim videos:  

What is Purim? This upbeat and engaging BimBam video (5:05 min) introduces adults to holiday basics and the various ways the holiday is celebrated in different Jewish communities. Even those who have been celebrating for years are likely to learn something new.   

Share these short videos – with lyrics! – of three classic Purim songs: Chag Purim (Purim holiday), La Kova Sheli Shalosh Pinot (My Three-Cornered Hat), and Mishenichnas Adar (When Adar Arrives). 

• Tip: Embed these videos on your synagogue’s website or share them in your e-newsletter.  

Get ready to Shake Your Grogger! This uplifting music video (4:04) from Michelle Citrin sets just the right tone for festive Purim celebrations. Let us to be the first to warn you: one listen and you’ll be humming it all day.  

Easy and Unique Hamantaschen. This fast motion video (1:30 min) introduces hamantaschen and offers a variety of sweet and savory fillings, including our favorite: salted caramel. If you haven’t yet mastered the art of folding hamantaschen, check out this easy tutorial, which includes a how-to video from Jewish cooking expert Tina Wasserman.  

• Tip: Share the short video on social media and invite community members to share their ideas for creative cookie fillings and post photos of their finished products.  

• Tip: Is someone planning to bake hamantaschenhamantaschenאֹזֶן הָמָןTriangle-shaped pastries commonly filled with apricot jam or poppyseed spread (or other fillings) and eaten on Purim; the shape represents Haman's hat or ears for your community's celebration? Set up a Facebook poll and invite members to choose filling flavors!  

Learn the Purim Story in 4 Minutes with this funny, sassy animated BimBam version of the Book of Esther, condensed and jazzed up for the modern student or family. Celebrate Esther's bravery and Mordechai's wisdom, and “boooooo” Haman. If you're looking for a more "grown-up" version of the Purim story, check out Mayim Bialik's 4-minute video, "The Story of Purim," which comes complete with a 1920's-style tongue-in-cheek Purim spiel!
 

Put on a Purim spiel for your community!

Here are some pre-written spiels available to use in your communities. Some are free to use, and others have a small cost or tzedakah donation. All are user friendly and sure to bring some celebratory fun to your community on Purim. Most importantly, you won’t need to re-invent the wheel if you use a pre-written play from one of these creative sources: 

• The Spiel Guy: Over 20 funny, feminist, and professional Purim spiel packages for sale that come with everything a community needs for an amazing Purim spiel: scripts, posters, karaoke tracks, example tracks, and sheet music. 

• Sinai Temple, Champaign, IL: All spiels tell the story of the Megillah with musical interludes: Beatles, Glee (with Pop Songs), Muppets (with Muppet songs and Pop songs), Frozen, Star Wars (with Disney songs), Grease, The Greatest Showman, Mary Poppins, Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, and Hamilton (being finalized; available by request). If you choose to use the spiels, appropriate attribution is requested, and please make a donation to the Rabbinic Discretionary Fund at Sinai Temple in any amount that feels appropriate for your congregation.

• Rabbi Debra Hachen: A few different options here! 1. Sound of Music Purim: Full spiel  – songs and narration; 2. Mary Poppins Purim  – Songs only; 3. Beatles Purim  – Songs only; 4. Americana Purim – PowerPoint with parody songs introduced by traditional Purim songs and blessings; 5. Rhymin’ Purim Nursery Rhymes – PowerPoint with parody songs introduced by traditional Purim songs and blessings.  

Or if you would like to be brave (a Purim custom) - you can write your own spiel. Here are some hints: Get in on the Act: Yes, You Can Write a Purim Spiel!