Wooden Ratchet Noise Maker for Purim

When the Purim story ("Meglliah") is read, everyone boos and shakes their graggers whenever Haman's name is mentioned.

Wood DIY  Purim gragger

Here is a wooden ratchet noisemaker we made, also known as a "gragger" when used during the Jewish holiday of Purim. For this one, I used a few scrap pieces of 3/4 inch thick pine, a 1/2 inch wood dowel (less than 6 inches worth), a piece of 1 1/4 inch dowel for the handle (about 5 inches long), and some 3/16 inch dowel for the wooden pegs. 
With everything assembled, you can give it a spin and see how it works. 
Our noisemaker is fairly loud, and it spins freely in either direction. Have fun! 

Purim fun house

The fun house of Purim decorations

1. mini paper mishloach manot
2. Purim paper theatre with characters
3. cardboard King's horse and glitter cup for royal seudah
4. masks
5. Haman's ten sons bowling game
6. handmade felt decorated meghillat 

Childen DIY gragger

A gragger, sometimes pronounced grogger, is a special Purim noise maker which is comprised of a handle and a revolving part that makes noise as it is revolved. Normally, making noise in the synagogue is forbidden during services, but on Purim even the adults join the children to make noise during certain parts in the reading of the Megilah. Each time the mention of the evil enemy of the Jews, Haman, is mentioned during the reading of the Megilah, the custom is to make noise and the gragger is the traditional Purim noise maker.

Gragger Wood Flip Drum

Purim arts and craft materials and projects for kids. Our gragger craft project is easy for children to decorate and paint.

Jewish Holidays: Books for Kids (Holidays & Celebrations)

Purim Sameach!

Because this was a political plot, and the people as a nation were saved through good politics, it is more a national holiday than a religious holiday for the Jewish people. However, many Jews do go to the synagogue for a public reading of the Book of Esther, during which there is a tradition to use noisemakers to drown out the name of Haman anytime it is read. There are also gifts of food, gifts to charity, and a festive meal shared.
The parties
Because Esther delivered her people by throwing a party for positive politics, Purim is a festive holiday. Many wear masks and costumes to honor Esther, who disguised her religion so that it could be revealed well and at the right time, and to remind them that God “disguised” his presence behind unfolding politics.

Mini Meghillat

The Scroll of Esther, known as the Megillah, is chanted in the synagogue on the eve of and again the next morning. It is the last of the five scrolls that form part of the third division of the Bible, known as the Ketuvim, or Writings.
Megillat Esther tells the story of the salvation of the Jews of the Persian Empire. The Scroll of Esther is universally known as the Megillah, not because it is the most important of the five scrolls, but due to its immense popularity, the prominence that is given to its public reading, and the fact that it is the only one that is still generally read from a parchment scroll. At one time, it was normative for every Jewish household to possess a Megillah, and much time and skill were devoted to the production of beautifully illuminated texts and elaborate wooden and silver cases that would house the scroll.
Megillat Esther tells the story of the salvation of the Jews of the Persian Empire. The Scroll of Esther is universally known as the Megillah, not because it is the most important of the five scrolls, but due to its immense popularity, the prominence that is given to its public reading, and the fact that it is the only one that is still generally read from a parchment scroll. At one time, it was normative for every Jewish household to possess a Megillah, and much time and skill were devoted to the production of beautifully illuminated texts and elaborate wooden and silver cases that would house the scroll.

 Mini Scroll of Ester

The Megillah: The Book of Esther (The ArtScroll Tanach Series) by Artscroll

Cardboard Ahasuerus horse

Sleep eluded the king that night, so he asked his servants to read for him from the Royal Chronicles. They complied with the king's orders. They read from the Chronicles how Mordechai saved the king's life when two of his chamberlains hatched a plot to kill him.
"Was he rewarded for this fine act?" Ahasuerus asked. "No he was not," the servants responded.
At that moment Haman entered the king's courtyard. His purpose? To ask the king's permission to hang Mordechai! Before Haman could utter a word, Ahasuerus addressed him: "My Haman, in your estimation, what shall be done to a person whom the king wishes to honor?"
Haman, who was certain that the king wished to honor him, responded: "Bring royal garment and a royal horse. And let one of the king's nobles dress the man and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'So is done for the man whom the king wishes to honor!'"
"Great idea," Ahasuerus responded. "Now go get the garments and the horse and do so for Mordechai the Jew!"
Haman had no choice but to comply. On the next day he went and honored Mordechai as the king had ordered, and then immediately rushed to join the king and Esther for...

Cardboard horse for Mordechai

SUPPLY LIST:
Cardboard (an old box or two)
Dala horse template (I blew this up 125%) 
Scissors or an Exacto knife
Cutting mat (if you are using the Exacto knife)
Washi tape - blue, pink, gold.
Download the template and cut out the horses. Using an exact knife and cutting mat makes it so much easier if you are doing many. But if are doing just a few you could get away with using a good pair of scissors. Decorate it with washi tape.

The Purim Superhero

Purim play set with felt hamantashen

There is a spirit of liveliness and fun on Purim that is unparalleled on the Jewish calendar. If there were ever a day to “let loose” and just be Jewish, this is it!
It is also customary for children (and adults, if they desire) to dress up in costumes.
A traditional Purim food is hamantaschen (or oznay Haman), three-cornered pastries bursting with poppy seeds or another sweet filling. On the day before Purim (or on the Thursday before, when Purim is on Sunday), it is customary to fast, commemorating Esther’s fasting and praying to G‑d that He save His people.

Purim play set

Giving kids a part of the holiday to incorporate into their everyday pretend play is such an amazing way to help them feel it.
Kids can help make this Purim toy (with adult help) but it’s also a great toy for parents to make for kids. It is a bit of work, but if you enjoy crafting, it’s all fun!!
And it’s so much cheaper than buying a dedicated Purim toy.
These are the parts of the DIY Purim toy:
A couple of megillah cases with a printed text to slip into it so kids can pretend to read the megillah on their own!
A felt pretend noisemaker. Well, it actually doesn't rattle a lot but it’s designed to mimic the style of the classic ratchet that’s used on Purim.
Felt Hamantashen created much like regular ones are made...but they’re made of felt…
A mask, obviuosly!

The Purim Surprise 

DIY Megillah case

What is Purim?
Purim, which literally means “lots,” is the holiday in which Jews commemorate being saved from persecution in the ancient Persian Empire. The Jews of the city of Shushan were threatened by the vile Haman, a prime minister who convinces the King Ahasuerus to kill all the Jews. Haman casts lots (hence the name of the holiday) to determine the date he would carry out his plan: the 13th of Adar. In the end, the Jews are saved by the heroic Queen Esther, Mordecai’s niece (and adopted daughter), who married Ahasuerus (after he banished his first, rebellious wife Vashti). When Ahasuerus discovers that his wife Esther is Jewish, he decides to reverse Haman’s decree, and instead of the Jews being killed, Haman, his sons, and other enemies are killed instead.
It is a mitzvah to listen to the story of Purim chanted from Megillat Esther  and to hear every word. It is customary to make loud noise with a noisemaker called a ra’ashan in Hebrew, or grager in Yiddish, every time Haman’s name is mentioned, in order to fulfill the obligation of blotting out Haman’s name. 

DIY Megillah and Washi Tape Megillat Case

When is Purim?
On the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, the day after the Jews emerged victorious against the evil Haman.
Jewish Year 5778: Sunset March 11, 2017 – Nightfall March 12, 2017

The Artscroll Youth Megillah: Fully Illustrated with the Complete Text, Simplified Translation and Comments (The Artscroll Youth Series)

Decorative handmade trees for Tu b'Shevat

The celebration of Tu B'Shevat  is the New Year of Trees which is one of the four New Years referenced in the Mishnah or Mishna. This is a minor Jewish Holiday in modern times serving as a tree planting festival and celebration. The holiday is believed to have originated as an agricultural festival indicating the onset of Spring and the fiscal new year of agriculture.
The Hebrew spelling of Tu B'Shevat is ט״ו בשבט‎. This holiday occurs each year in the month of Shevat on the 15th day. Tu B'Shevat is known as the New Year of Trees, Rosh HaShanah La'llanot (ראש השנה לאילנות). Each year on Tu B'Shevat Israelis and Jews across the globe plant trees to celebrate, along with commemorate and honor loved ones on this Jewish Arbor Day.
Decor your home with handmade trees.

Decorative trees

 

Tu B'shevat - Coloring Book For Adults - Jewish 'New Year for Trees' Festival: Tu B'Shevat Colouring Collection For Teenagers & Grown ups

Trees, Earth, and Torah: A Tu B'Shevat Anthology

Tu b'Shevat paper letters

Creative letter paper cutting for a Tu b'Shevat decoration.

Burlap napkin rings for Tu b'Shevat table

Although there are no specific dishes that have traditionally been prepared for Tu B’Shevat, the custom of serving dishes that contain fruits and nuts has emerged. There is also the custom of consuming the Shevah Minim or "Seven Species," the five fruits and two grains found in the land of Israel. According to Gil Marks in the Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, the seven species are either eaten in the order in which they’re mentioned in Deuteronomy, namely wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates or in order of their importance in ancient Israel, wheat, barley, olives or olive oil, dates, grapes or wine, figs and pomegranates. Some people also eat fruits, such as apples, quinces, walnuts, pistachios and carob, which are mentioned in the Torah or have come to be associated with Israel. With the various ingredients that one can choose to include on their table for Tu B’Shevat, there is room for much creativity and the possibilities are endless. Decor your Seder table.
Do you think pumpkins are quite an old cliche in decor? Be different this year,
and if you've been kind of obsessed with empty toilet paper rolls lately, there’s so many cool DIY projects you can do with both of them 
As these burlap napkin rings I've made. These are very inexpensive to make and fairly easy and they cost next to nothing to make!
Burlap napkin rings will add a touch of rustic charm to your table top. Burlap rings are wrapped with  cotton lace and accented with a miniature button in a creamy, wood color. Just slip them on your napkins for a bit of rustic Tu b'Shevat elegance.

 Burlap napkin rings table decorations

 

Tu BiShevat Seder: Volume 1

Corks tree placeholder

You may use wine during an holiday, and if you love drinking wine, then you have probably asked yourself many times about what you should do with the wine cork. You can actually use wine cork in a very creative way to make ornaments for Tu b'Shevat tree ...

Corks tree placeholder

Wool tree decoration for Tu b'Shevat

In 2018, the "birthday of the trees" begins at sundown on Tuesday, Jan. 30
Tu B’Shevat or the “birthday” of all fruit trees, is a minor festival. The name is Hebrew for the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat.
In ancient times, Tu B’Shevat was merely a date on the calendar that helped Jewish farmers establish exactly when they should bring their fourth-year produce of fruit from recently planted trees to the Temple as first-fruit offerings.
In the 16th century, the Kabbalists of Tzfat in the Land of Israel created a new ritual to celebrate Tu B’Shevat called the Feast of Fruits. Modeled on the Passover seder, participants would read selections from the Hebrew Bible and Rabbinic literature, and would eat fruits and nuts traditionally associated with the land of Israel. The Kabbalists also gave a prominent place to almonds in the Tu B’Shevat seder , since the almond trees were believed to be the first of all trees in Israel to blossom. Carob, also known as bokser or St. John’s bread, became another popular fruit to eat on Tu B’Shevat, since it could survive the long trip from Israel to Jewish communities in Europe. Participants in the kabbalistic seder would also drink four cups of wine: white wine (to symbolize winter), white with some red (a harbinger of the coming of spring); red with some white (early spring) and finally all red (spring and summer).
Complete with biblical and rabbinic readings, these kabbalists produced a Tu B’Shevat Haggadah in 1753 called “Pri Etz Hadar” or “Fruit of the Goodly Tree.”

Wool tree

The Month of Shevat: Elevating Eating & Tu b'Shevat

Bright clay menorahs

Handmade clay Menorah/Hanukkia for Chaunukkah.
This is a lovely clay Menorah of tiny houses, a Hanukkah menorah and a Hanukkah gift. It is handmade, houses of Israel scenario menorah which makes a perfect Jewish holidays gift, tiny houses menorah, mountain village  menorah . They are a very colorful and vivid clay menorahs. These menorahs are made of white clay, carved & painted with many bright ceramic colors. They  have  9 holes for candles in which 8 are on one level and one is a bit up for the "Shamash". 
These will absolutely add warmth and joy to your holiday atmosphere. Happy Hanukkah!  

 Clay tiny menorah

Menorah Story

The Lights of Hanukkah: A Book of Menorahs

 

 

Giant felt dreidels

Dreidel is Yiddish for "spinning top." A dreidel is a pointed, four-sided top which can be made to spin on its pointed base. Dreidels are normally made of plastic or wood, though there are silver or glass "designer dreidels" available on the market, usually intended for display purposes. It is customary to play dreidel games on the holiday of Chanukah.
It is told that the dreidel, known in Hebrew as a sevivon, dates back to the time of the Greek-Syrian rule over the Holy Land—which set off the Maccabean revolt that culminated in the Chanukah miracle. Learning Torah was outlawed by the enemy, a "crime" punishable by death. The Jewish children resorted to hiding in caves in order to study. If a Greek patrol would approach, the children would pull out their tops and pretend to be playing a game. Read the Chanukah story here.
By playing dreidel during Chanukah we are reminded of the courage of those brave children.

Giant felt hanging dreidels

Dreidel

Dreidel Game: Who will play with me? 

The Dreidel that Wouldn't Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah

The Parakeet Named Dreidel

 

 

 

Hanukkah days counter

When the Greeks entered the Temple they defiled all the oils and when the Hasmoneans prevailed and defeated them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil which lay with the seal of the Kohen Gadol. It contained only enough oil to light for one day, yet a miracle happened and they used it to light for eight days. This aspect of the Hanukkah story, learned from the Talmud, is commonly taught to Jewish children in Hebrew and Sunday schools across America; and it is surely the most remembered part of the holiday narrative, told and retold throughout the world. Perhaps this miracle-centered version occurs so often because Jews are more familiar with the Talmud than with the Apocrypha where the historical books of the Maccabees are found.
Or perhaps the frequency is inspired by the emphasis on the oil and the hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah); they offer something tangible with which to express our deep connection to and appreciation for the valor of our ancestors. Most likely though, the recounting of the miracle is so dominant and popular because it focuses on the role of God in this story, as opposed to the Maccabees’ military accomplishments, a focus echoing a phrase from the biblical Book of Zechariah that is always chanted during Hanukkah: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit…”
Whatever the reason, the talmudic legend remains the account of Hanukkah that most Jews know. Within it, however, are layers of items to ponder and criticize, and questions to answer. For example, even people who seem to accept the legend and not question the miraculous nature will ask why we must celebrate for eight days; after all, if there was enough oil for one day, then the duration of the miracle was only seven days not eight! The common response from the tradition is that the oil burned extraordinarily slowly, diminishing only a bit for each of the eight days, and therein lies the miracle.
Beyond any symbolic explanations for the number eight lie some more practical, concrete, or commemorative explanations. One Rabbinic tradition says that the Hasmoneans (Maccabees) may have needed eight days to become purified, after being in contact with the dead on the battlefield. Purification consisted of being sprinkled with clean water that had been mixed with the ashes of an unblemished, sacrificial red heifer. (my jewish learning)

 Hannukah days counter

Hanging rustic Hanukkah days counter made of pine wood and blackboard.

8 Days of Light - Hanukkah Coloring Book For Kids

Journal: Mogen David Pattern (Yellow)

Hanukkah home carousel

Hanukkah, which means “dedication,” is the festival that commemorates the purification and rededication of the Temple following the defilement caused by the Greeks during their occupation of that holy place. Today, the holiday reminds Jews to rededicate themselves to stand against forces that would destroy Judaism and to keep alive the flame of Jewish religion, culture, and peoplehood so that it may be passed on to the next generation.
Originally, the eight-day holiday was intended to parallel the eight-day festival of Sukkot. The Books of the Maccabees made no mention of the legend concerning a small jar of oil that unexpectedly lasted for eight days. Only centuries after the Maccabees’ defeat of the Syrians did the story of the jar of oil, which has come to be a part of Hanukkah, appear in the Talmud.
When the Maccabees entered the Temple and began to reclaim it from the Greeks, they immediately relit the ner tamid (eternal light), which burned constantly in the Temple and has a parallel in our synagogues to this day. In the Temple, they found a single jar of oil, which was sufficient for only one day. The messenger who was sent to secure additional oil took eight days to complete his mission, and miraculously, the single jar of oil continued to burn until his return. The rabbis of the Talmud attributed the eight days of Hanukkah to the miracle of this single jar of oil.

A family celebrates Hanukkah by lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, making latkes, exchanging gifts, and recalling the heroism of the Maccabees.Celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights with the menorah you love the most.

                                                                   Menorahs

Hanukkah