How do you fold your hamantaschen?

By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

Do you fold or pinch? It’s an enduring question in the world of hamantaschen baking. No matter how committed you are to one method or the other, it might just come down to what your dough wants to do.

I’m sure you will agree, Purim is a holiday that feels like it’s made for families. In addition to baking together, traditions include dressing up, sharing gift baskets or mishloach manot with friends, making noise by shaking groggers, and staying up late with your friends and community. People do tzedakah and also read the Book of Esther, or megillah, which shares the story of how the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation.

If you’ve taken the time to read the whole megillah, the Purim story of Esther is neither a simple nor a pleasant tale. It is a rite of passage in modern Jewish parenthood that’s right up there with wincing at a bris and trying to make Hanukkah something more than a tsunami of presents. It is, of course, the dilemma of how to teach kids our often difficult and scary religious tales, of which Purim is probably one of the most difficult and scary.

The story of Purim is among the first Jewish narratives a child is introduced to and parents often wonder how to do it well. However, the Purim story can also help kids learn about courage, bravery and standing up for what’s right.

Your kids can grasp the themes of the story without knowing the gory details. Let PJ Library be your partner! Check the PJ Library website,

One thing I’m sure of, no matter how you convey the story of Purim, hamantaschen is a universally loved part of this festive holiday. So, regardless of whether you are “team fold” or “team pinch” in the hamantaschen game, we at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and PJ Library wish you and your family a chag Purim samayach!

For more information about PJ Library and all our upcoming events, please feel free to contact me, Alicia Feldman, at programs@jewishnaples. org or facebook.com/ PJLibraryNaplesFL.