Is Purim about the hidden and the revealed? About the solemn task of using power wisely? About communal celebration? About the rights of Jews and of women? A deadly serious grown-up holiday, or a fun and frivolous day of festivities for children?
Purim is all of these. While children’s (and adults’!) costumes bring a light note to our reading of the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), our gifts to the poor and to each other echo the themes of community and mutual responsibility. On Purim, we hear the story of Esther, participate in a festival meal (se’udat mitzvah), give tzedakah, and give gifts to friends (mishlo’ach manot). Drowning out Haman’s name is now joined by waving Esther & Vashti flags, to call attention to these women’s complex and important roles in the Purim tale.
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Transforming Purim | Complete Ceremony
By Erika Katske
A guide to planning a women's Purim program using text study, art, and activism to celebrate Purim in new ways
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Unmasking Esther: A Woman's Celebration | Complete Ceremony
A copy of the point-counterpoint reading Ma'yan used in its first Purim celebration. The text includes selections from the Megillah, commentary by Susan Schnur, songs by Liz Swados, an appeal for women living under the Taliban, and the unrolling of a scroll with stories of how women celebrate Purim in 127 countries.
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Word Collage | Poem
By Erika Katske and Tamara Cohen
A Purim poem based on the Megillah
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Verses for Esther, Verses for Mordechai | Ritual Component
By Leah Shakdiel
Traditionally, four verses of the Megillah highlighting Mordecai's role are read aloud by the entire congregation during the Megillah reading. The author describes a new practice in her women's prayer group in Yeruham, Israel of adding four parallel verses highlighting Esther's triumph.
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Repeating Verses During the Megillah Reading | Ritual Component
By Julia Andelman
When the Megillah is read publicly on Purim, four verses about Mordechai are read aloud by the congregation before the reader. The author explains the origin of this custom and suggests four additional verses to celebrate Esther's heroism.
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Taking Back Purim | Article
By Tamara Cohen
This essay explores the Purim story from a feminist perspective, and discusses Ma'yan's new ritual of waving Esther/Vashti flags during the Megillah reading whenever the heroines' names are mentioned.
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Esther/Vashti Purim Flags | Ritual Component
Ma'yan has created a new ritual, Esther/Vashti flags for Purim.
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Rosh Chodesh Ceremony for Adar | Complete Ceremony
By Maxine Fraade
This ritual for Adar explores masking and unmasking, hiding and revealing, in our daily lives.
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Essence of Adar I | Article
A summary of facts, characters, and holidays pertaining to Adar
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Essence of Adar II | Article
A summary of facts, characters, and holidays pertaining to Adar II
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Counting Our Days: Miriam’s Time or Women’s Folk Omer | Article
By Lori Hope Lefkovitz
Seeing God in the details of "women's work" between Purim and Passover
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