Jewish communities will again not experience the celebrations of Purim and Passover as they usually would. The pandemic is still at large throughout most of the world, and despite the emerging success of vaccine programmes, lockdowns and social distancing measures will remain in place for some time.

Last year, the New York Hatzolah encouraged Jewish families to cancel their plans for large gatherings during Purim and Passover. This year is proving no different, with Hatzolah suggesting that March’s 2021 Purim festivals could materialise into super spreader events.

Nevertheless, we must make the best of the situation and find ways to celebrate safely with loved ones at home. Here are some of the best ways to make the most of Purim and Passover this year.

1. Shpiels over Zoom

Purim is a fantastic time to be a child. It is custom for children to recite funny performances of different stories – and most children go all out to dress up and make them a real spectacle. It’s also a lot of fun for the adults, as they get to watch their family take part in these humorous shows.

Unfortunately this year, children might not be able to meet with other children of the family and producing performances (and watching them) is going to be a lot more difficult. Thankfully, video technology can still make it happen. With some careful planning in advance, it is still possible to create a remote Shpiel for everyone to enjoy.

We recommend working out the technicalities in advance and rehearsing how it will all work before the big event. Creating one of these performances without any hiccups is going to take a little more imagination and patience.  

2. You Can Still Cook Delicious Dishes

Thankfully, we can still enjoy delicious food when celebrating Purim or Passover at home with family. And what better recipe to bake together than Hamantaschen. Get the family in the kitchen baking together, passing on secret tips and generations of knowledge. 

If you plan on making more batches than normal to treat neighbours and friends, you might want to consider an additional countertop oven. This Aldi ad boasts some great deals, including a $49.99 Ambiano Countertop Convection Oven to help keep pace in the kitchen. Aldi is also offering a fantastic $5.99 deal on food containers, which will come in handy to store any leftovers. 

3. Prepare Gift Hampers

Purim is a celebration that brings out the most generous and charitable traits within the Jewish community. Sending gifts to those in need is part of the event. You could use the time at home to create an extra special gift or food hampers to be given to local charities and people that need our help.

You can get the whole family involved to come up with a gift to make or a hamper menu – and possibly even design and make the hamper itself. It fits perfectly with tradition and provides another activity for friends and family to enjoy together.

A Word of Optimism

Purim arrives at the perfect time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. The darker and colder winter days are left behind as the sunlight shines through to bring us a brighter future.

It is an apt metaphor for our future after two restricted years of Purim and Passover celebrations. Things are improving, and the festivals of 2022 should be back to normal.