Mishloach Manot

A Jewish women’s organization is soliciting donations in the US for Mishloach Manot (Purim gifts) for students living in the south. One of our neighborhood schools is sponsored by this organization, so it’s likely that students here will be among the recipients.

Do they think that Israeli kids are lacking in Purim goodies? Do they know how much junk food the children here eat?  Are candy and salty snacks supposed to alleviate anxieties brought on by the recent war?

Why not raise money to set up a school lunch program?

Israeli school children celebrated Purim on Sunday. Our granddaughter came to our house from gan (pre-school) with a bag of Bamba and chocolate wafer cookies, which she ate on the walk home. This was in addition to a gift of Mishloach Manot from the gan – a box of candy bars. I didn’t even ask what they served at their Purim party.

The Mishloach Manot trend in our community is moving towards donation cards. With local organizations under financial stress, this makes a lot of sense.

But we are still obligated to send “real” Mishloach Manot – a minimum of two different ready-to-eat food items to at least one person.

I like to give a homemade baked good and fresh fruit. 

(Star Kist tuna is running an ad campaign in Israel featuring tuna Mishloach Manot. I was briefly inspired. Maybe next year.)

Hamentashen are always a favorite. Include some whole-wheat flour in the dough and make a simple filling by poaching prunes, apricots or other dried fruit in a little water. Throw in a cinnamon stick for flavor and you won’t need to add sugar.

Seasonal oranges, apples and tangerines are a perfect complement.

This year I’m thinking ecologically too. I’m not putting my Purim goodies into baskets or plastic trays. I’ll be recycling my collection of paper bags – those cute little decorative bags with handles that you get with even the tiniest purchase.

Have a happy, healthy and fun Purim!