Queen Esther was a figure of inspiration to Jews who had fled from oppressive regimes. In the Netherlands, she became a ...

For children, the Book of Esther is a fairy tale — of kings, queens, beauty contests and the foiled plans of a dastardly villain. The story can be read as proto-feminist, with Esther saving her people ...

Esther succeeds in enchanting the king with her extraordinary beauty and charm, and he makes her his queen. The king promotes his loyal subject Haman - whose family is notably anti-Jewish - to the ...