Written by Talya Wiseman, Head of Jewish Life (High School)

In two weeks’ time we will celebrate Purim, one of the most joyous, fun and happy days at school. The Purim story is one that many of us are familiar with, it’s an ancient story, taking place over 2000 years ago and yet the story seems especially familiar now.

Rather than just being about dressing up and eating hamantaschen, the story of Esther is the first explicit case of antisemitism in recorded history. The Megillah tells of a plot to annihilate the Jewish people, a date was set and permission was granted to rid Persia of its Jews.

Events since October 7 have certainly shifted the way we see the world. We feel antisemitism around us in a way we didn’t before.

And yet, we know that the plan was thwarted by Esther and Mordechai. Two people who realised that in order to save their nation, they needed to speak up and use their individual voice.

Purim tells us about the power of one person to change the fate of our people. 

And this is the message that we try to give our students at Moriah, that their voice matters.

Many things have been highlighted since October 7, but for me I have seen just how deeply our Moriah students care for the State of Israel and the Jewish People. When Israel is hurting, we hurt. And we want to help.

We found that many students want to feel they have the language to speak out in support of Israel and we are empowering them to do so. In the High School, all students are regularly hearing from guest speakers about the current situation in Israel. These guest speakers always remark on how impressed they are by the questions asked by the students, who demonstrate a deep understanding of the situation and a desire to learn more.

This year, for the first time, all our Year 11 students are participating in Bitachon, our Israel advocacy course. The aim of Bitachon is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to speak confidently about Israel. When our students graduate, we hope they will do so without being afraid to step onto their university campus. We want them to feel proud of who they are and who they represent and to feel that they are equipped with the knowledge to speak up for the State of Israel.

The story of Esther begins with Esther hiding her Jewishness, not wanting to let on who she really is. The Jewish people are only saved when Esther reveals her true identity and speaks up for her people as a proud Jew. So too, the way forward is for our students to be able to stand up proudly as Jewish people and find the strength and the words needed to confront those who try to bring us down.

As well as the confidence to speak up and speak out we also provide an environment to nurture and hold our students emotionally during this difficult time.

This term our students designed a kippah to show their support for the safe return of the hostages. Our Year 12 students are selling these kippot as well as yellow ribbons and bracelets to raise money for the community of Shlomit, a small community on the south of Israel bordering both Gaza and Israel and the Bring Them Home organisation.

If you walk through the High School, you will see a beautiful display on Herzl Court in honour of the 134 hostages. Led by the students, small stones have been decorated representing each of the hostages and the number of days they have been in captivity.

When we celebrate Purim this year we will do so with full joy as we know that story of Jewish triumph over persecution is one that continues to repeat itself. But as we celebrate, we don’t forget those who are suffering and the lessons that we need to take with us from the Purim story: to speak up and to stand proud.