Virtual Mishloach Manot
Virtual Mishloach Manot
'cuz we can't get you hamentaschen through the world wide web (plus a little request for help)
By Rabbi Patrick Beaulier
Note: this piece was inspired by an earlier post at PunkTorah.org
But first, a message…
In honor of the custom of giving tzedakah on Purim, we are excited to announce that we are launching our first-ever Purim fundraising campaign.
As a nonprofit organization, we have almost exclusively relied on course fees to cover the costs of creating and managing our programs. However, as we continue to grow and expand our offerings, we need additional financial support to reach more people around the world.
Darshan Yeshiva welcomes all who seek to connect with Jewish traditions and teachings, regardless of where they live or how they came to Judaism. For those who have converted through our online learning community or hope to in the future, we are honored to be a part of your Jewish journey. We hope you’ll help us continue to reach more people just like you.
Giving to Darshan Yeshiva will do the following:
Allow you observe the Purim mitzvah of matanot la'evyonim (giving to those in need)
Ensure that our virtual doors remain open to everyone who seeks to connect with Judaism
Help us improve our website and the content of our programs
Co-sponsor our sister website, Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary, so they can help ordain more rabbis to serve Darshan Yeshiva
We appreciate any donation you can make, no matter the amount. Every dollar will go directly towards supporting our mission of promoting independent Jewish spirituality online. Your support will make a tremendous difference in the lives of Jewish individuals and families around the world.
We wish you a happy and meaningful Purim!
Chag Sameach, -Rabbi Patrick Beaulier
Now, back to our post…
Every Purim we give mishloach manot, little goodie bags filled with cookies, candies, airplane bottles of booze…you know, whatever you are into.
Unfortunately, an online community doesn’t have virtual mishloach manot. And while 3D printers can do amazing things, we haven’t managed to find one that can bake the perfect poppyseed hamentaschen from digital schematics.
So here is a virtual goodie bag of homemade treats from Darshan Yeshiva, alongside our archive at the PunkTorah blog and a few other places I happen to like.
Have a favorite Purim resource we missed? Send us a message and (hopefully) we’ll include it! Also, there is a Purim fundraiser below. We hope you’ll give a gift.
Recipes
Almond Hamentaschen Recipe - PunkTorah.org
Jamie Geller’s Purim Recipe Archive - Jamie Geller
Learning
Adar: Food As Transformation - PunkTorah.org
Darshan Yeshiva’s unit on the Jewish Winter Holidays - DarshanYeshiva.org
Interactive Hebrew/English Book of Esther - Sefaria
Perhaps Mordecai Was the Bad Guy? - Haaretz
The Megillah Project - Judaism Unbound
Learn to Chant the Megillah - Cantillation Cafe
(Thank you rabbinical student Margot Valles from Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary for the last two recommendations)
For Kids
Paper Plate Hamentaschen and Purim Masks - PunkTorah.org
Kid Friendly Feminist Purim Lesson Plan - PunkTorah.org
Other Fun Stuff
Purim Shpiel with Ketzirah - PunkTorah.org
If You Only Come To Shul Twice A Year - PunkTorah.org
A Kabbalistic Approach To Purim/Drinking - The Jewish Drinking Show on YouTube
So to recap:
Matanot la'evyonim are gifts to those in need (and the greatest mitzvah on Purim)
Mishloach manot are gift baskets or bags of food or drink that are sent to family, friends and others on Purim day
Hamentaschen are triangular Jewish cookies filled with poppyseed or other fillings
Purim Shpiel is a comical, satirical Jewish play performed during Purim
We would be delighted if you could give a donation to support Darshan Yeshiva