HOLIDAYS (PURIM)

296.436

THE FESTIVAL OF PURIM IN ISRAEL

Fes

Gives the viewer a glimpse of how Purim is celebrated in Israel. The film includes shots of the children in costumes, the customs of different communities, the Megillah reading, baking hamentaschen, and “Mishloach Manot.” Study guide available. Note: Teachers of younger children will want to preview for appropriate sections.

18 min.  AGE: 6 to Adult

296.436

GUIGNOL IN THE LAND OF ESTHER  (1983)

Gui

The puppets of Lyons reenact the traditional Purim story of Queen Esther. We are guided through Shushan by Guignol, King Ahasuerus' right hand puppet, and our narrator. Note: Teachers should preview. The puppets are the old-fashioned variety with no facial movement or animation, and the play may not hold the interest of modern children.

28 min.  AGE: 6 to 9

296.436

HA RA'ASHAN (The Gragger)  (1988)

Har

A young boy finds a magical gragger which works only when the name of Haman is mentioned. Purim customs are simply illustrated as the mystery is unraveled through animation and song. Study guide available.

In Hebrew. 10 min.  AGE: 5 to 10

296.436

IN THE DAYS OF AHASUERUS: THE ANIMATED BOOK OF ESTHER  (1991)

Int

Computer-animated version of the story of Esther. Interspersed throughout the video is the chanting of selected verses of the Megillah which also appear on-screen in Hebrew. The filmmaker added his own brand of humor to the story, which is told from a Traditional viewpoint. Note: This adaptation of the story of Esther stems from Traditional and Talmudic texts, and contains details which may be unfamiliar to many viewers. The film refers to Ahasuerus throwing a 180-day feast which Jews attended and ate non-kosher food. It depicts Jews throwing lobsters into a pot and then into their mouths. When a servant comes to bring Queen Vashti to the king, she looks at herself in a mirror and sees that her ears have elongated, she has pimples and, somehow, she has grown a tail. Therefore, she refuses to go to the king. Teachers should be ready to explain to students why this retelling may be different from what they may have previously learned.

25 min.  AGE: 6 to 11

296.43

THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS VIDEO GUIDE  (1990)

Jew

Join a Jewish family on a journey through the Jewish calendar, rediscovering the history and practices of major Jewish holidays. The traditions and rituals of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, Passover and Shabbat are presented. Guest celebrities Ed Asner, Theodore Bikel and Monty Hall share their favorite holiday memories. Note: Format is conducive to selecting single holiday segments for classroom viewing, although teachers should preview first. This film is most suitable for home use by families or to introduce Jewish holidays and customs to people of other faiths.

1 hr. 30 min.  AGE: 8 to Adult

F

MA’ALE COMPILATION: FIVE FILMS  (1998)

Maa

Part of a compilation of five short films produced at the Ma’ale School, an Orthodox film school in Jerusalem.

In Hebrew with subtitles. 26 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

Purim. In this film, Oded, a young Yeshiva student, meets Ruti, a non-observant young woman, and they begin to date. Oded is torn between his attraction to Ruti and his religious convictions. He has difficulty accepting the fact that Ruti follows her own path—Purim is a time of wearing disguises—and the surprise ending will leave viewers thinking. Note: Teachers may wish to discuss which is more important—following the “letter of the law” or the “spirit of the law.”

296.4

THE MAJE CREATIVITY CENTER PRESENTS  (1988-89)

Maj

The talented staff of the Creativity Center presents three holiday festival puppet shows as celebrated on Sesame Street—Chanukah, Purim and Passover.

20 min. ea.  AGE: 3 to 8

296.43

PURIM  (Parpar Nechmad Series)  (1989)

Par

Jewish holidays and traditions presented through games, songs, stories and puppets. Two additional Parpar Nechmad shows are included on this video—Laughing and Voices and Sounds. Note: The Hebrew spoken is intended for fluent speakers.

In Hebrew. 25 min. each show.  AGE: 6 to 10

296.436

A PURIM MESSAGE  (1987)

Pur

A modern view of the Purim story, dealing with the problems of intermarriage and assimilation. The framework of this video involves three college students in Israel working on a video project about Jewish holidays. When one of the students receives news that her sister is serious about a non-Jewish man, it sets off a whole series of discussions and role playing—including a closer look at Queen Esther’s marriage to King Ahasuerus. Produced by the World Zionist Organization. Note: Should be previewed by schools for suitability.

25 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

221.95

QUEEN ESTHER  (Hanna-Barbera's Greatest Adventure Stories)  (1991)

Que

In this animated Bible story presented in the framework of three contemporary children traveling back in time, Esther marries King Ahasuerus and saves the Jewish people from the wicked Haman, who wishes them all killed.

30 min.  AGE: 4 to 10

221.92

QUEEN ESTHER: FAR AWAY AND LONG AGO  (Mysteries of the Bible Series)  (1994)

Mys

Part of a series of videos produced by The Arts and Entertainment channel which utilize a scholarly approach to investigate stories of the Bible—and explore which parts we know to be true from historical and archaeological sources. This video follows Biblical and historical scholars as they explore in-depth the story of the Book of Esther. Could a woman of Persia have come to such power, and was there actually a King Ahasuerus? Why was the Book of Esther the only book of the Old Testament missing from The Dead Sea Scrolls? Scholars journey to the ruins of the ancient Persian Palace of Persepolis in the desert of Iran to cast further light on this story.

50 min.  AGE: 13 to Adult

296

THE WHOLE MEGILLAH  (Alef...Bet...Blast-Off!  Episode 8)  (1998)

Ale

Part of a children’s video series in which puppets and real people illustrate how traditional Jewish values apply to modern life. In this episode, David and Rachel don’t feel like celebrating Purim this year, as their parents are going on a trip and they are left home with Grandpa. Mitzvah Mouse whisks them back to ancient Persia to meet Queen Esther and watch her stand up for her people, the Jews. When the children return, they are eager to get to the synagogue and celebrate. Note: There is very little actual content about Purim. The only part of the Purim story actually dealt with is Esther telling the king about Haman’s request to have all the Jews killed.

24 min.  AGE: 4 to 8