Charter Communications will air the 30-minute television shows The Scroll of Esther for Purim and The Cup of Elijah for Passover. Telly Award winner Cantor Howard Shalowitz wrote, produced and narrated these shows for educational use for children and adults.

The Scroll of Esther tells the Purim story, chapter by chapter, using narration, music, and pictures. The show tells us how we got the name for our traditional food of hamantashn, what prayers are recited, why we have the shortest Torah reading (9 verses) of the entire year, and other customs, rituals, and activities associated with Purim.

The Cup of Elijah takes us, step by step, through a Passover seder. Cantors and rabbis share songs, stories, customs, and rituals in this explanatory Passover seder. “Watching The Cup of Elijah will aid those who are leading, preparing, or attending a seder with its explanations and songs, ” said Shalowitz. Other liturgical and scriptural readings for Passover are also discussed.

All airings in St. Louis County will be on Charter Communication’s channel 18 as follows:

The Scroll of Esther: Thursday, 2/28 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, 3/1 at 5:30 pm; Tuesday, 3/4 at 11:00 am;Saturday, 3/8 at Noon; Wednesday, 3/12 at 9:00 pm; Sunday, 3/16 at 3:30 pm; Tuesday, 3/18 at 5:30 pm; and Saturday, 3/22 at Noon.

The Cup of Elijah: Thursday, 3/27 at 7:30 pm; Sunday, 3/30 at 1:00 pm; Wednesday, 4/2 at 5:30 pm; Monday, 4/7 at 4:30 pm; Saturday, 4/12 at Noon; Wednesday, 4/16 at 9:00 pm; Saturday, 4/19 at 5:30 pm; and Tuesday, 4/22 at 2:30 pm.