Your youngest children certainly will hear a different version of this animated tale than the congregation listening to the M’gillah. At the early childhood and early elementary school age, we focus on the characters. Just like the characters in a classic Disney movie, they are silly and extreme, either very “good” or very “evil”. But it doesn’t end there.

• Why doesn’t Vashti want to dance at the King’s party? Perhaps Vashti doesn’t want to feel like a clown for King Achashverosh. She says, “No!”
• Who is this Haman character? Why does he want everyone to bow down to him? Often I describe this character as someone with a bad temper, who’s always in a bad mood and wants everything done his way. I also imagine that Haman represents all that is unjust in the world today, what do you think is unjust in the world? Who or what is your Haman?
• King Achashverosh doesn’t seem to be paying attention to what’s going on in his kingdom. Send your best thoughts to all the Kings and Queens and Presidents and Prime Ministers and World Leaders, that they should pay close attention to what’s going on their land.
• Queen Esther is brave, and even though she is very afraid she stands up for her people. How do you think it felt for Esther to hide her Jewish identity? What advice would you give to Esther before she went to the King?
• In what ways does this story go topsy-turvy, reversing and twisting, making opposites and patterns?

Here’s an article by the blog at the Paradigm Project featuring a new translation of the Purim Megillah. Inside, the author includes a number of great discussion questions.

In addition to getting to know and explore these fun characters, a particularly meaningful Purim tradition is the giving of gifts.  I remember delivering small baskets of goodies  as a child. What fun! In the final chapter of the Megillah, the holiday is declared as a time to share with one another and with those in need. Why not make Purim into a full on social justice holiday?

• On Purim, we give gifts instead of receive.  Why is giving gifts to our friends and helping out those who don’t have enough an important commandment of Purim celebration?

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Posted in Activities for home and classroom, Holidays, Purim