Works of Art

Make a Megillah

Aim: To create a class scroll illustrating the entire Book of Esther.

Materials: Paper, pencils, fabric squares, fabric markers and a text that recounts the story of Esther

Procedure:

1. The story of Purim is told in the Book of Esther, which is usually recorded in scroll form and read on Purim in the synagogue. The scroll used for the public recitation of the Book of Esther in the synagogue is undecorated. By the 16th century, however, Jews began to own Esther scrolls for private use. These, as well as their cases, were often highly decorated, frequently with scenes from the story.

Show students an Esther Scroll, or megillah, from The Jewish Museum’s collection:

2. Have your class create its own illustrated Esther scroll. Share the story of Purim with the class. Then divide the story into sections and give one section to each student or pair of students.

3. Ask each student or pair to sketch an illustration of that section of the story on a sheet of paper.

4. Then have each student or pair create a final version of the illustration in marker on a square of fabric.

5. Sew, staple, or tape the fabric segments together into one long scroll in order to create your own illustrated class megillah. You might ask the class to act out the story, one scene at a time.