Purim, ‘Connections’ and a whole lot of laughs!

Genius Jake

Happy World Book Day readers! March is full of special days. On 6th March it’s Purim where we celebrate the Jewish people living in Persia being saved from extermination by a young Jewish woman called Esther.

In shul we read the Book of Esther (known as the Megillah) and it is customary to hold carnival-like celebrations and dress up. And then there is British Science Week, a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths, taking place between 11 – 20th March. This year’s theme is ‘Connections’. Nearly all innovations in science, technology, engineering and maths are built on connections between people and there are examples all around us.

Think about the connections between humans and the climate, using technology to connect with our family and friends, the connections between our brain and different body parts that enable us to move, and between different scientists to create medical breakthroughs like antibiotics, medicines and vaccines.

What kind of everyday ‘connections’ are important to you?

Olivia Murciano, age 7, Hampstead Garden Suburb

I have many types of connections in my life. The most important to me are the connections with my brothers, sister, family and friends. By spending time and playing with my siblings and friends, we make our connections stronger by making new memories together every day. I use technology to connect with my family in different countries.  This allows me to see their lives and my cousins growing up, when I can`t be with them. Lastly I connect with myself every day when I play netball, tennis or gymnastics and I teach my body new skills to play better.

Rafael Murciano, age 7, Hampstead Garden Suburb

Everyday connections that are important to me include those made with technology, sport, and with my family and friends.  I use technology every day; I use an iPad in school to help me learn, I play on my Nintendo, I learn robotics and I use video calling to connect with my family in France every day.  When playing football, I connect with my team, working together trying to win a match.  Most importantly for me, are the connections I make every day with my family and friends, spending time with them and making new friends and connections.

If you would like to be a JN ‘Junior Journalist’ please get in touch at Candice@jewishnews.co.uk 

Just for Laughs with Ivor Baddiel

How did the Chazan know that the rabbi was very thirsty on Purim?

Because every time the rabbi finished his drink he asked someone to purim another one

Want to be the funniest kid in school? 

Our resident ‘gagster’ Ivor Baddiel has a new book out and it’s full of funnies. Literally. How To Be The Funniest Kid In School, written by Ivor and fellow Jewish funnyman Steven Vinacour, is full of never-heard-before jokes all about school.

Ivor says: “We had a real laugh writing this book, it transported us back to our schooldays when we were both, without doubt, the funniest kids in our schools.

“We wrote this book because whilst school can be great fun, it can also be hard work, so you need a few laughs to help you along the way. The book is split into categories such as English, Maths, Break Time, History, School Trips etc. There are loads of great gags, but if I had to choose my favourite, I’d choose this one in the PE section – My favourite exercise is a cross between a lunge and a crunch. It’s called lunch.

“It’s been shown that even just smiling can make you happier and improve your mood by releasing certain chemicals in the brain. Imagine then what a good old belly laugh could do, you’d be happier than a hungry rabbi who’s found that there’s one gefilte fish left after kiddish.”

A scriptwriter and author, Ivor has written for some of the biggest shows on British television including The BAFTAs, The Voice, and The National Television Awards. Steven Vinacour writes and directs TV shows and adverts and owns a content creation company.

How To Be The Funniest Kid In School is out now and 25p from every copy goes to Comic Relief. There’s also a competition to find the funniest kid in school. All you have to do is get a parent or guardian to film you telling a joke and then send it to, competition@awardpublications.co.uk. The winner will get £150 worth of books for their school and a visit from Ivor and Stephen. So get gagging…

Good News For … The Dodo… or is it? 

A US-based company called Colossal Biosciences plans to bring back the dodo, which has been extinct since the late 17th century. It will use dodo genes within the body of a living relative to create a new type of species resembling a dodo.

But not everyone thinks this is good news, and that the money spent on doing so could be used on protecting the environment and preserving current living species. What do you think?

What’s on This Month

Fun at Frameless

With tickets currently only on sale until April, don’t miss out on the chance to go to Frameless, the immersive art exhibition. Journey through four distinctive galleries, experiencing a different type of immersive technology in each one. Perfect for all ages.

www.frameless.com

Zog at the Arts Depot

This weekend, everyone’s favourite dragon Zog hits the stage at the arts depot for an adaptation based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It’s brought to you by Freckle Productions and promises to be more roar-some than before!

www.artsdepot.co.uk/family/zog

www.zoglive.com

London Rhymes Family Concert

Bringing together the talents of a variety of musicians, the London Rhymes team will take you on an exciting musical adventure, meeting instruments, sounds, songs, colours and a few animals along the way. Recommended for families with children aged 3-7. On Saturday 11 March at Wigmore Hall, London.

www.bachtrack.com

Illusions at Twist Museum

Step into mind-altering and interactive illusions at the Twist Museum, London. Developed in collaboration with artists, neuroscientists and philosophers, this immersive experience explores the power of your mind in experiencing the world around you.

www.twistmuseum.com

The Manchester Museum Reopens

After undergoing a huge refurb, the Manchester Museum has reopened with a host of new attractions for all including its Golden Mummies of Egypt exhibition, the South Asia Gallery, a new Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery and a brand-new Dinosaur display.

www.museum.manchester.ac.uk