Paper Mask Making: Hiding Our Faces, Revealing Ourselves

Masks have traditionally been used throughout the world for ritual, performance, celebration, and mourning. Wearing a mask, we may embody and challenge what we are most afraid of. Sometimes masks offer us protection, at other times, transformation. Masks can turn our world upside down, or they can simply make us laugh.

The tradition of masquerade on Purim, the holiday in which Jews celebrate the story of Esther, can be traced back to Esther’s own disguised and revealed identity that gave her the power to save her people.

In this workshop participants will design and create their own masks using simple materials and techniques. The masks made may disguise our faces but will reveal the inner strength we need to repair our world.

This event is part of  Teen Day: Book of Esther. For ages 13–18.

Image: Courtesy of artist Vera Weinfield