JEWISH HOLIDAYS LESSON III  CLASS II

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My preferred way of beginning this session may not be feasible or practical for everyone, but if it is at all possible, I suggest bringing in hamentaschen, a wonderful cookie/pastry specific to the holiday of Purim, and as the students have a snack, tell them the story of Haman and Esther.  Hamentaschen are triangular because they are meant to look like the hat worn by Haman, the villain of the story.  They may be bought in most bakeries and large supermarkets, but the more adventurous may even want to try baking them. Handout on Jewish Holidays II (to either be distributed and read as a class, or used as a resource for lecture material) Activity: For Jews who observe Shabbat, the day has a special atmosphere of prayer and rest, and it provides a wonderful apportunity for people to relax and grow closer to G-d and each other.  Have students work in small groups to discuss the following:

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-Is our Christian Sabbath, Sunday, a day of rest and spiritual renewal?  Why or  why not? -How can we "reclaim" our Sabbath to make it more the type of day it was meant to be?

NOTES:

Vocabulary words: Purim, Pesach, Shabbat, zachor, shamor

Click here for worksheet on Jewish Holidays Class II.