Back in December 2020, we got a true Hanukkah miracle: a gorgeous and diverse song and video from amazing Jewish Hamilton star Daveed Diggs, about a child’s longing for a puppy for Hanukkah. Seriously, it’s been months now, and this delightful song is still stuck in our heads. (And yes, our kids are still asking for those puppies.)
While we originally thought the song was very Festival of Lights-specific — it is quite literally called “Puppy for Hanukkah!” — one creative New Jersey congregation has updated it for the joyous Jewish holiday of Purim. While we were skeptical at first, after watching this new parody called “Esther HaMalka” (that’s Hebrew for Queen Esther) we can confirm that both the idea and its execution are really inspired.
This wonderful, socially-distant Purim spiel (Purim play) that the Congregation Beth El of South Orange, NJ, put together features video clips of local families all dressed up, lip-synching and jamming out to the song. This video has so much: babies, quality frolicking in snow, Muppets, and an adorable kid dressed as a lion whose giggle gives us so much joy.
The updated lyrics, written by Yuval Brokman, a member of the congregation, retell the Purim story with some great rhymes and modern references (there’s a Doug Emhoff mention, of course!). It even reminds us how to say the blessing we recite before reading the megillah.
And of course, no Purim parody can exist without some hamantaschen filling hot takes (yes, there’s a poppy seed diss in there).
Watch this delightful video below:
Happy Purim!
