Guest speaker: Miriam Borden 

One of the most beloved and raucous traditions of the Jewish holiday Purim is the shpiel - Yiddish for ‘play’. Usually a dramatization of the biblical story of Esther, these plays often include modern settings, pop culture references, political satire and parodies. What are the origins of these performances? Were they influenced by similar European celebrations or plays? Did they have any hidden meanings? Discover the fascinating history of these centuries-old presentations. Generously co-sponsored by the UJA Committee for Yiddish.