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Discovering Purim
A Supplemental Curriculum from Diarna
Written by Yael Gafni
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Diarna, Our Homes in Judeo-Arabic, is a project dedicated to virtually preserving Mizrahi
(Eastern) Jewish history through the lens of physical location. Satellite imagery, photographs,
videos, oral histories, panoramas, and even three-dimensional models, offer a unique digital
window onto sites and communities disappearing before our very eyes. As structures decay and
the last generation to live in these locations passes on, we are in a race against time to preserve
priceless cultural treasures. To learn more visithttp://www.diarna.org.
Yael Gafni graduated from Wellesley College in 2008 with a major in Middle Eastern Studies.
She spent last year studying at Tel Aviv University funded by the Jacqueline Krieger Klein 53
Fellowship in Judaic Studies and is currently based in the New York area.
http://www.diarna.org/http://www.diarna.org/http://www.diarna.org/http://www.diarna.org/8/14/2019 Diarna Purim Curriculum
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Discovering Purim
A Supplemental Curriculum from Diarna
Target Audience: Grades 4-7
Goals:
1. To help students understand the historical context of Purim2. To introduce students to Diarnas technology
Students will be able to:
1. Understand the history of Purim and the challenges of studying ancient history2. Discuss the location of Shushan3. Use the Google Earth layer and Diarna videos to learn about the tombs of Esther and
Mordechai
Themes and Ideas:
1. History of Purim2. Discovering history using artifacts3. New technology leads to new understanding
Time: 2 mini-lessons (30-40 min each)
Lesson 1: Discovering History: Purims Place and Time
Lesson 2: Hands-On Learning: The Tomb of Esther and Mordechai
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Lesson 1: Discovering History: Purims Place and Time
Goals:
-To understand the benefits and challenges of studying history
-To learn about the history of Purim
-To use research methods to find out more about communities today
Materials:
Purims History information packet and worksheet, paper, pens, markers, newspapers, photos of
class (optional), box or bag
Activity 1: Purims History(10-12 min)
-Divide students into groups and distribute copies of Purims History information packet and
worksheet
- Ask students about a favorite museum exhibit and what they learned from it. Explain that
todays lesson will be similar to visiting a museum, that they will be discovering history,
learning about the past using objects and limited information.
-Instruct students to discover the history of Purim using the pic tures and information in the
packet. They should fill out the worksheets in their groups.
Activity 2: Discussion (5-7 min)
-Bring class back together to discuss Activity 1.
-Review answers to questions, paying particular attention to questions 6 and 7.
Activity 3: Creating a Time Capsule (15 min)
-Introduce idea of class time capsule
-Make a list of important things to know about the class (location, grade, students, teacher, etc.)
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-Distribute supplies and instruct students to fill box or bag (can use one per group or per class)
with clippings, drawings, photos, etc. that show those important things.
-Explain that once completed, the time capsule will be sealed and remain unopened until a
predetermined time (end of year, end of next year, end of elementary/middle school, etc.).
Conclusion (5 min)
-Discuss the difference between learning about the past by using artifacts and by using a time
capsule (artifacts are accidental, time capsule shows what is important to that person)
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Purims Place and Time
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Hamadan and the Tombs of
Mordechai and Esther
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Susa and the Tomb of Daniel the
Prophet
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Purims Place and Time
The Book of Esther took place during the rule of the Achaemenid(ack-ah-MEN-id)Empire in Persia.
The capitol of the empire was in Persepolis, but the summerpalace was in Hamadan.
The king also lived in a place called Susa. This city had the mostJewish residents.
In the Book of Esther, the kings name in Ahasuerus(Achashverosh). His Persian name was Xerxes (zerk-sees). He
ruled between 486- 465 BCE.
At the time when the Book of Esther took place, Jews lived inevery part of the Persian Empire. They owned shops, served in
the army, and had synagogues of their own.
Historians are unsure of the exact location of Shushan. Somethink it was Susa (because it sounds alike), and others think it
was Hamadan (because thats where what is thought to be the
tomb of Mordechai and Esther is located and also because it was
the kings summer home).
Everything we know about the Achaemenid Empire and AncientPersia comes from a few sources. These include scraps of
writing, ruins, and other artifacts.
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Purims Place and Time
1. When and where did the Book of Esther take place?_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
2. Who was the king at the time of the Book of Esther? (List bothnames) ___________________________________________
3. Where were some of the places that the kinglived?____________________________________________
_________________________________________________
4. What historical site can be found inSusa?____________________________________________
5. What historical site can be found inHamadan?_________________________________________
6. Which city, Susa or Hamadan, do you think is the real Shushan?Why?____________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
7. What do you think is the hardest part of studying ancient history(people and places that existed a very long time ago?)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
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Lesson 2: Hands-On Learning: The Tomb of Mordechai and Esther
Goals:
1. To familiarize students with Diarnas technology (Google Earth and videos)2. To learn about the Tomb of Mordechai and Esther and its history
Materials:
Computers, Google Earth and Diarna layer (see below), Elias Gabbay video worksheet
(attached), Google Earth instructions (attached)
*Please note: this lesson requires the use of Google Earth and the Diarna layer. You can
download Google Earth atwww.earth.google.com. The Diarna layer can be downloaded at
http://www.diarna.org/wordpress/Diarnawp/wordpress/uncategorized/march-2010-%E2%80%93-diarna-releases-purim-curriculum. The video interview with Elias Gabbay can be
found atwww.youtube.com/watch?v=DqX_v_OyRGwor by going towww.youtube.comand
searching for The Restorer of Esther & Mordechais Tomb.
Setup:
This lesson works best using stations, one for using Google Earth and the other for viewing the
video. The class should be divided into as many groups as there are stations.
Introduction (5 min)
-Explain lessons objectives and room setup
Activity 1: Elias Gabbay Video (10-15 min)
-Students should watch video and answer questions to the best of their ability
Activity 2: Google Earth (15 min)
-Students should follow instructions to explore the Diarna Google Earth layer
Conclusion (5 min)
-Review activities, answer any questions, and ask students what they enjoyed most.
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Google Earth Instructions
1. Find the United States of America.2. Find your state, and then try to find your town using just the
mouse. If you need help, enter the name into the search section.
3. Zoom in and use the mouse to look around your town. Try to findyour school, your home, the library, and anything else that is
important.
4. Once you have gotten the hang of the program, try to find Iran.If you dont know where it is on the map, enter it into the search
section. You will see a lot of yellow pushpins and some black and
white symbols. These are places that were important to the
Jewish community in Persia.
5. Find Susa. This is one of the cities that could be the originalShushan. Notice that it contains the tomb of the prophet Daniel.
6.Now find Hamadan. You will see a black and white symbol of abuilding. This is the Tomb of Esther and Mordechai.
7. Zoom in to look at the city, finding the Tomb of Esther andMordechai.
8. Click on the symbol and read over the information you find. Youcan watch the video for an online mini-tour of the building.