The full “Chapter 9 Project” including Devon’s contribution and information on the nine artists invited to participate in this co-creation can be found here: https://theshalomcenter.org/chapter9project.


For Adar I and II 5784/March 2024, Devon was invited with eight exceptional artists by the Shalom Center to re-story the final chapter in the Scroll of Esther for Purim

These are the words written by Shalom Center staff on the project:

“This Purim, The Shalom Center invited dear writers, dreamers, and seekers, to reimagine Chapter 9 of the Book of Esther as an exercise in dreaming new worlds, new responses, and new endings into existence.

If we imagine the 5th century Jews’ response to their almost annihilation, how would we wish that story unfolded differently? If we apply a worldview that seeks peace, love for all humans, and recognizes every person as created in the image of God, what is the ending we and the world long for?

In this moment, new endings are being called into existence. Both in the Purim story and in Israel/Palestine. Let’s channel those stories together.

We hope these rewritten Chapter 9’s will be integrated far and wide into your Purimshpiel performances, Megillah readings, text studies and discussions, or any other creative manner that helps you and your loved ones and networks grapple with the world of Chapter 9 as it’s written and Chapter 9 as it could be.”