IssieRoots: Megillat Esther by Beit Issie Shapiro
IssieRoots is a collection of interactive educational activities for Jewish and Muslim holidays, designed by the staff of Beit Issie Shapiro and for the enrichment and enjoyment of children of varying abilities. All activities are offered in English and in either Hebrew or Arabic so they can be enjoyed by Jewish and Muslim children in Israel and around the world.
Megillat Esther
Purim is coming and children everywhere are getting their costumes ready to celebrate this beloved holiday. One of the favorite customs of Purim is to listen to and read Megillat Esther. With our interactive megilla, everyone can enjoy! Choose between listening to the story or reading the interactive version. In the interactive version, readers can read the text themselves or touch the megilla on each page to listen and read along. Touch the characters on each page to hear what they have to say.
You can read our megilla on the Jigzi website, using this link:
Here is a sneak peek at some of the pages:
Choose to listen to the megilla or read the interactive version
The first page of the megillah
Words for Purim
Another great activity for Purim is our “Words for Purim” activity. In it, children follow Michal at her Purim party learning to recognize Hebrew words for some of their favorite Purim characters and customs.
Use this link to play on the Jigzi website:
Here is a sneak preview of some of the pages.
Michal and friends dressed up for Purim
Choose the correct word
Ideas for enjoying these activities in the classroom:
- Screen the megilla on a smartboard and read together or open in the Ji Tap app on a number of iPads and have the children read together in small groups, taking turns activating the screen.
- Have students act out the story with the megillah screened on the smartboard
- Take screenshots of the word matching screens in Words for Purim, cut them into word cards, and play memory match.