Purim Today

There are those who believe the story related in Megillat Esther happened as described.
Others believe the story is fantasy.
I think it doesn't really matter who is right.
According to The Jewish Study Bible

...The setting of the Persian court is authentic, but the events are fictional. 

It goes on to say

The book does have a serious side, and an important function as a Diaspora story, a story written about and for (and perhaps by) Jews of the Diaspora.  As such, it promotes Jewish identity, solidarity within the Jewish community, and a strong connection with Jewish (biblical) tradition.

... 

It addresses the inherent problems of a minority people, their vulnerability to political forces and government edicts, their lack of autonomy, and their dependence on royal favor and on the sagacity of their own leaders.

... 

The book succeeds in putting a serious message in a comic form. 

So what might that mean for our students?

Big Ideas: 

• As Jews we are part of a group with at least some shared experiences
• As members of a group we have responsibilities to the other members of the group
• Appearances do not always reflect reality

Important Questions to Ask and Answer:

• What groups are you part of?
• What threats exist to those groups?
• What are our responsibilities toward the other members of these groups?

Learning Activities:

• Reading Megillat Esther in language the learners can understand should be a core part of the learning activities
• Brainstorm the different groups students are part of and the threats facing each.  Threats can be physical, but need not be.  For example, disappearance of the group can be a threat.
• Discuss ways to address these threats (or challenges, if you prefer)

Assessment:

• Prepare an action plan to address challenges that have been identified

NOTE:  Linking to popular culture is a wonderful way to engage learners

• In the movie Avatar, what group(s) does Jake belong to?
• Which of these groups is threatened?
• How does Jake decide which group to support?
• How was his choice personally threatening?
• Compare and contrast Jake (in Avatar) and Esther (in the Purim story)
• What Jewish values are expressed in the movie?

 

Avatar and Jewish Education??

You can enter the words "Avatar" and "Jewish" in a search engine and find numerous discussions of the content of the movie and its Jewish underpinnings (or not!).  It is of no concern to me whether James Camaron had Jewish thoughts in his head when he created the movie or not.  It simply is not an issue for me as a Jewish educator.  What does matter is how the viewer understands the movie.  Our learners are going to see this movie.  Is Jewish thought a factor in how they  understand it?  That's my issue.


Big Idea:

• Everyone sees and understands the world through his or her own perspective.
• Most of our students have already or will soon see the movie Avatar.
• As teachers we have an obligation to be familiar with the culture within which our students live.
• As Jews we have a Jewish lens with which to understand the world.

Questions to guide your thinking:

• What did you see in the movie that appeared to you to reflect Jewish thought or wisdom?
• What did you see in the movie that seems to contradict Jewish thought or wisdom?

Learning Activities:

• The Talmud says the following:  "We do not see things as they are.  We see them as we are."  How does this statement relate to your ideas about Avatar? (Note:  I've seen this quotation many times (even here!), but don't have a proper source.  Perhaps a reader can help me.)
• There is a website, Jewish Wisdom Quotes, that lists dozens of sayings with Jewish origins that you are welcome to visit.  Choose a topic that interests you from their list of possibilities, and explain how it applies in your life.

Assessment:

• You may want to encourage your students to choose a wisdom quote each week and find examples in the news of its application in the world
• When this idea of using a Jewish lens to see the world is learned, you can challenge your learners to apply Jewish wisdom to any and all issues that arise in class.
• A personal note:  I love reading comics.  Most days I can find a comic strip that either reflects or contradicts Jewish thinking.  Suggest this to your students.