Megillat Esther as Political Drama: Is the Diaspora Good or Bad for the Jews?
2026-02-25 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Pre-Purim lecture by Marc Ashley

AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE - Marc Ashley Pre-Purim Lecture: "Megillat Esther as Political Drama: Is the Diaspora Good or Bad for the Jews?" Feb. 26, 2026. Click HERE to view video. Click HERE for source sheet.

February 25 at 7:00 pm (Zoom only). Click HERE to join.

The frivolity of Purim masks its menacing context. Megillat Esther, which we may read lightheartedly, describes an embattled Jewish community at risk of extermination. Yet the Megillah also insightfully and provocatively encapsulates a fierce ancient debate – with obvious contemporary resonance – about the status, identity and future of Jews in the Diaspora, far from their ancestral homeland. It is a thoroughly Diaspora-centric story, set within the milieu of the mighty Persian empire, with little regard for conventional Jewish themes, practices and beliefs –including, stunningly, not a single reference to God. It centrally frames a pivotal question with increasing relevance and urgency for disquieted Jews in today’s unsettling world: Are we better off living in the Diaspora or Israel? Depending on one’s perspective, Megillat Esther’s answer may be comforting, confounding or chilling. The issues it raises are certainly timely and consequential.

Please join congregant Marc Ashley for an intriguing discussion of an often misunderstood and underappreciated classic Jewish text.
