There is a long history of Jewish artists creating illuminated manuscripts - sacred texts beautified and interpreted through images drawn on or around the texts. Before Purim 2013, Makom community members of all ages were invited to explore Megillat Esther (the scroll of Esther) and then paint their own figurative or abstract visual depiction of the theme or scene of their choice. The art was digitally scanned and the images projected ("illuminated") very large on the east wall of the Kiever Synagogue during the corresponding parts of megillah reading on Purim, creating our community’s own live- performance, illuminated megillah. We hope you enjoy this slideshow of Makom's Illuminated Megillah!
Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism
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4. In the third year of his reign, he made a feast...one hundred and eighty
days. (1:3-4)
Tim Benveniste
5. There were
hangings of
white cotton
and blue
wool, caught
up by cords of
fine linen and
purple wool to
silver rods and
alabaster
columns...
(1:6)
Ben Sharpe
6. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with
wine, he commanded...to bring Vashti the queen before the king
with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her
beauty; for she was handsome in appearance. (1:10-11)
Pat Braudo
7. But queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king... (1:12)
Louise Smith & Lauren Stein
10. There was a certain Jew in Shushan the capital, whose name was
Mordechai... And he had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, the
daughter of his uncle... (2:5-7) Ellon Cheran
11. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained
grace and favour before him... (2:17) Susan Lee
13. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bent the knee
and prostrated themselves to Haman...but Mordechai bent not the
knee nor prostrated himself. (3:2)
Erik Jorgensen
14. ...Pur—which means “the lot”—was cast before Haman concerning
every day and every month, until it fell on the twelfth month, that is,
the month of Adar... on the thirteenth day... (3:7, 13) Aaron Levy
15. Then were called the king’s scribes...and there was written according
to all that Haman had commanded...in the name of king Ahashveirosh
was it written, and it was sealed with the king’s signet-ring. 3:12 Zak Lee
18. Esther sleeps in the palace. The king sits upon his throne. Haman plans
to destroy the Jews. Elie Levy Kramer
19. Go, assemble together
all the Jews who are
now present in
Shushan, and fast for
me, so that you
neither eat nor drink
three days, either
night or day; also I
with my maidens will
fast in like manner...
(4:16)
Sharoni Sibony
21. The king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand;
and Esther drew near and touched the top of the sceptre. (5:2)
Eitan Garfin Udaskin
22. And Esther said: If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman
come this day unto the banquet which I have prepared for him. (5:4)
Carrots at Queen Esther’s Banquet, Faris Lee
25. Haman therefore said to the king: The man whom the king desires to
honour—Let them bring a royal apparel which the king has worn, and
a horse which the king has ridden, and let there be placed a royal
crown on his head. (6:7-8) Eitan Garfin Udaskin
26. And Haman then took the apparel and the horse, and arrayed
Mordechai, and caused him to ride through the streets of the city...
(6:11) Elie Levy Kramer
27. And Mordechai
thereupon returned to
the king’s gate; but
Haman hastened to his
house, mourning, and
having his head
covered. (6:12)
Haman’s Head, Cyrus Sarfaty
30. Then answered Esther
the queen and said: If I
have found grace in
your eyes, O King! And
if it be pleasing unto
the king, let my life be
given at my petition,
and my people at my
request. (7:3)
Pat Braudo
31. And Esther said: An adversary, and an enemy, this wicked Haman. (7:6)
Ellon Cheran
32. So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for
Mordechai... (7:10) Sharoni Sibony & Simona Neufeld
43. Shoshanat Ya`akov – The Lily of Jacob
The lily of Jacob rejoiced and was glad,
When together, they saw Mordechai robed in royal blue.
You have been their eternal salvation, their hope in every generation;
To make known that all who hope in You will not be put to shame,
All who trust in You will never be humiliated.
Cursed be Haman who sought to destroy me.
Blessed be Mordechai the Jew.
Cursed be Zeresh, wife of him who terrified me.
Blessed be Esther whose actions saved me.
Cursed be all the wicked; blessed be all Israel.
And may Harvonah, too, be remembered for good.
Translation adapted from Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, The Koren Siddur Hannah Goldstein