The children and teachers at Beth Israel Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan did a special Purim project with Kulanu. They made masks, groggers, mishloach manot bags and hamentaschen for Purim, videotaped instructions on how to make these, sent what they made and more materials to Tikvat Israel Congregation in Abuja, Nigeria, and sent Kulanu funds for minigrants to two communities in Uganda and one in Zimbabwe so that they could buy supplies to make similar things. Hopefully the children in Africa will then send back pictures of what they did to Ann Arbor!

Here are their written Directions for Purim Projects or see below. Click here for their videos.

 

       Purim Mask Making

Materials

Card stock, cardboard, posterboard or foam sheets
Markers or sharpie markers
Stickers or any other decorations
Pencils
Scissors
Hole puncher (can use scissors)
String

Directions

1. Trace mask form on a piece of paper (if available use heavy paper like poster board or cardboard or foam).
2. Cut out Mask, (including eye holes) and make a small hole on each side of the mask.
3. Decorate with markers, crayons and/or stickers.
4. Tie a string in the side holes of the mask to use to tie around your head!
5. Wear to Megillah Reading or a Purim party.

     

Purim Groggers (noisemakers)

Use during Megilla reading when reader says Haman!

       

Materials

Paper plates
Stapler & staples or any kind of tape
Small rocks or beans
Markers, stickers or any other decorations

 

Directions

1. Fold a paper plate in half.
2. Staple sides 3/4 of way (leaving a hole for small amount of rocks or   beans).
3. Insert enough rocks or beans to make noise.
4. Staple shut or tape shut.
5. Decorate using markers, crayons and/or stickers.
6. Shake your grogger at Megillah reading, whenever you hear the name Haman!

Mishloach Manot Bags

(Bags are filled with food treats to give to friends and family.)

 

Materials

Any kind of bag or small box
Markers, crayons
Stickers or other decorations
Hamatanshen, fruit, candies or any other kinds of treats!

 

Directions

1. Choose paper bag or any kind of small bag or box
2. Decorate with markers, crayons and/or stickers.  (Images can include Purim characters, Purim themes, and Purim greetings.)
3. Fill with Hamantashen, cookies, candies and fruit.
4. Give bags to friends and family for a Happy Purim!

Making Hamantashen

(Purim Cookies shaped like Haman’s Hat or Ears)

 

Ingredients
Any cookie recipe will work to make Hamantashen.  We included this simple one.  It makes about three dozen cookies

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla (optional)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 5 1/2 to 6 cups flour
• 1-2 small jars any flavor fruit filling (Apricot, prune, cherry, or  poppy seed are all traditional.)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius)

Mix together eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla.

1. Add baking powder and flour.
2. Mix until smooth.
3. Roll out very thin (1/8 inch if you can) on a floured board.
4. Cut out circles with a drinking glass or any circle shape.
5. Put a small teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle.
6. Fold in three sides over the filling to make a triangle with filling showing in the center.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.