Rewriting the Purim Script

At Temple Beth Miriam, a Reform synagogue in New Jersey, Cantor Marnie Camhi has created a niche for herself by writing and selling 11 kid-friendly Purim spiels -- theatrical presentations based on the Book of Esther in the Bible. Although they ostensibly revolve around the characters in the ancient story, Purim spiels have historically provided sarcastic and incisive commentary on contemporary political and world events, often poking fun at leadership and internal Jewish problems as part of celebrating the holiday.