Purim Party

Shalom and Hag Sameach!

My name is Florencia and I am a Teen Art Connect Intern here at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.

As part of my internship I chose to do my apprenticeship in the Education Department. One of the tasks that was given to me was to organize and plan our Purim Party. I came up with ideas for ways our party could be educational and super fun. And if i do say so myself, I believe I succeeded tremendously in my goal.

The Purim Party was a wonderful opportunity for TACs who aren't Jewish and for those of us who are, as well as the teenage public, to learn about one of the most exciting and important Jewish holidays through costumes, food, story telling and grogger making. The night started with making groggers which are noise makers used to "Boo" the evil character Haman in the story of Purim. After our groggers were made, the TACs and other teens got into costume and make-up, ready to be a part of a narrated improvisation of the story. This activity allowed everyone to learn the story that all Jews around the world celebrate in a fun, hysterical and interactive way.
 
Everyone was wearing smiles from beginning to end, the giggles were contagious. After the (imaginary) curtains were drawn and the show came to a close, everyone ran over to the table filled with delicious treats. We invited people to participate in a bake off, which required home-made hamentashen (yummy Jewish cookies made specially for Purim).

People brought in a variety of delicious recipes and we all got to taste and vote on which hamentashen we found the most savory after having worked up an appetite. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners took home a prize, but everyone took home smiles and full stomachs.

My experience of the night was wonderful, not only because I enjoyed the activities and food but mostly because of the joyful stress-free atmosphere that surrounded me. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves while dressed in silly boas, wigs, and dresses and everyone was fully engaged and participating. At the end of the night, I took a moment to take it all in and felt completely satisfied and relieved that all the hard work I had put into planning this event had truly paid off. The TACs all put in a tremendous amount of work and effort to help put the party together as well. Lena wrote an amazing script, other TACs divided and conquered to bring in what was needed: costumes, makeup, hamentashen, music and decorations.

Hope your Purim celebrations were just as good, or better, than ours!

Florencia