Make, Play, Become: Purim Mask-Making Workshop

Come join us at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco for a fun and creative Purim Mask-Making Workshop!

Bring your imagination to life with vibrant colors, bold textures, and playful mask-making! Join artist Zoe P Wagner and Keshet’s Rabbi Eliana Kayelle for an inspiring, hands-on Purim workshop where you’ll design and decorate your own one-of-a-kind mask using drawing, paper mache, and decorative materials. Dive into a welcoming creative space that celebrates all life stages and identities. Rooted in Keshet’s commitment to LGBTQ equality and belonging in Jewish life, this program creates a space where everyone – of every gender expression and identity – is invited to show up fully and play at the edges of who we are and who we’re becoming.

Ages 14 and older.

Program Flow

11:30 am – Noon: Welcome & Creative Warm-Up
Introductions, grounding, and quick sketch prompts exploring Purim’s themes of transformation, hiddenness, and truth.

Noon – 12:45 pm: Mask Making Foundations
Learn essential paper mache techniques and begin building mask forms through cardboard sculpting and layering.

12:40 – 1:00 pm: Nosh Break
Snack, rest, and connect.

1:00 – 2:45 pm: Mask Construction & Embellishment
Continue building and refining masks with collaging, painting, and vibrant decorative materials.

2:45 – 3:30 pm: Play & Creative Reflection
Improv mask games, light theater play, and a closing circle to bring the masks to life! Teens are welcome with adult supervision. This is a space where folks at all life stages and identities can explore who they are with creativity, courage and fun!

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Zoe P Wagner (they/them) is a paper mache lover, who builds masks and giant puppets to understand the world around them. They fiercely believe in the magic of play and of how story and art can spark resilience, curiosity, and connectedness in these times.

Rabbi Eliana Kayelle (they/them) brings a deep love of learning and community to their role as the Bay Area Education and Training Manager at Keshet. Eliana has worked as a theater-maker, Jewish educator, and community organizer, directing and choreographing across New York and serving on the steering and ritual teams of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Long Island. They inspire people to see how Jewish texts and traditions speak to our lives today — and how they can guide us toward a more equitable future.

In partnership with Keshet.