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Year 5 - Religious education

The story of Esther and Haman

Jews: how does remembering maintain Jewish identity?

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will study three Jewish festivals and the stories connected to them: Rosh Hashanah, Purim and Chanukah. They will make links between the stories of Esther and Judas Maccabee and the continuing survival of Jews. They will examine diversity within these festivals.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain why the story of Esther is important for Jews.

Key Notes

  • The Jewish festival of Purim remembers Esther, queen of Persia, who was secretly Jewish.
  • Haman, the king's chief minister, hated Jews and plotted to have all the Jews killed.
  • Esther bravely told the king that she was Jewish and pleaded with him.
  • The story symbolises the survival of Jews in the face of adversity.
  • Interpretations of the Purim story helps us to understand Jewish identity.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • antisemitism: prejudice, discrimination, or hostility toward Jews
  • Purim: a festival that commemorates the saving of the ancient Jewish community in Persia
  • identity: qualities and characteristics that make up an individual or group
  • persecution: cruel treatment of a person or group by another person or group over a long period of time

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Antisemitism is a modern experience.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

The Jewish festival of Purim remembers Esther, queen of Persia, who was secretly Jewish. Haman, the king's chief minister, hated Jews and plotted to have all the Jews killed.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'antisemitism'

prejudice, discrimination, or hostility toward Jews.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Antisemitism is a modern experience. Correction: This story shows that antisemitism goes back at least 3,000 years.

More Lessons In This Unit

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