Liverpool/Shushan Purim

Congregation B’nai Israel  3-17-95

Cast of  Characters:  (in order of appearance)

Narrator:

George:

Ahashverosh:

Vashti:

Queen Esther:

Mordechai:

Haman:

Alter Chai Notes with Cantor Stephanie

After Rabbi gives brief intro:

(All forward to microphone for song)

SONG:  Purim at CBI (to the tune of I Wanna Hold Your Hand)

Oh, please let us tell you

So you can understand

This night we’ll make fun

Of Haman’s evil plan (2xs)

Purim at CBI

We’re lucky that Queen Esther

Came in and saved the day

And we’ll tell the story

In our own special way (2xs)

Purim at CBI

When it is Purim we feel happy inside

It’s such a feeling that our joy

We can’t hide, we can’t hide, we can’t hide

So sit back and relax

Our shpiel will soon begin

And listen to the story

Of how the Jews did win (3xs)

Purim at CBI

(everyone goes back and sits down)

Narrator:  The children were restless: they scowled at the snow;

They whined and they quarreled and wished it would go;

George:  “It’s been ever so long since we last built a sukkah,

And it’s almost a year until next Chanukah.

Tu B’Shevat it was nice to plant trees in the sun!

Now if Pesach came sooner, that would be fun!…”

Narrator:  Then in walked their father; he listened and said, “Purim is coming, so why don’t you get, your costumes and graggers, ‘cause soon we’ll fulfill a Mitzvah when all of us hear the Megillah.

Narrator:  “The story took place a long time ago, we read it each year so that each Jew will know.  In a country called Persia-now known as Iran,

(Vashti stands up in her place)

a queen wouldn’t appear and the trouble began….(Vashti shakes her head no!)

“You see, King Ahashverosh (can you say his name?)

(Ahashverosh stands up and goes to microphone)

Gave a big dinner party; the whole kingdom came

From all of the provinces where the King reigned,

To his palace in Shushan, and there they remained.

And after they’d feasted on good food and wine,

The King, very pleased, said:

(Vashti goes to microphone)

Ahashverosh:  This party is fine.  I’ll summon Queen Vashti to put on a show.

Narrator:  But when Vashti was called, her answer was

Vashti:  NO!  I refuse to show up and be seen by the guests.

Ahashverosh:  (very angrily)  I am so angry you refused my request.

Vashti:  So here take my crown, take my ring, It is sealed, in front of your friends I shall not be revealed.  So now, let me tell you, and hear me this night, it’s time you learned something about equal rights.