Yes, it is that time of year already! Passover starts on the evening Friday April 6th. Time to get ready! Last week in class we talked all about the traditions associated with the celebration of passover and specifically focused on the tradition of eating matazh.
I showed this video that toured a matzah factory and talks all about the rules for making matzah. The kids loved watching the machines (fun fact: you only have 18 minutes to make the matzah from start to finish)
Then we made matzah covers to help brighten up your seder table. I hope you enjoy them. Here are some photos:
This article from Tablet Mag provides a great overview of the traditions of Passover. It is must read for the basics and even the Passover savvy will learn a lot.
If you are looking for some new traditions to add to your seder check out Ritualwell.org. They have some great ideas to spice up your Passover seder here:
And finally, I leave you with this poorly filmed, adorable video of our class singing the Passover classic "the Frog Song" with Joel last Sunday. Enjoy:
Last Sunday we changed the pace quite a bit. Not all parts of the life cycle are about joy: Marriage, Birth, Mat Mitzvah etc. Learning about the Jewish life cycle can also mean illness and death. Judaism says that it our duty to help people that are experiencing illness or the loss of a loved one. We spent time talking about three main ways we as Jews to respond to those going through these hard times: acts of kindness (helping deeds), prayer and remembering. We only had time to touch on some of ideas and traditions in each of these domains during class.
I have put together some resources to supplement what we worked on during class:
1. Acts of Kindness (gemilut hasadim). We specifically discussed the mitzvah of Visiting the sick (bikur holim), an important and time honored Jewish tradition.
You can read more about the origins and history of bikur holim here:
The website also includes a great list of ideas of how to help out when a friend, loved one or neighbor might be in need:
What kinds of things do bikur cholim visitors do? Bikur cholim visitors are involved in manifold ways of helping — either as an individual, in an "army of one," or as part of a coordinated team effort. There are so many ways one can help, caring gestures include:
Visit a patient in the hospital/nursing home, or visit the homebound.
Call a homebound senior before Shabbos.
Bring food to a family with a new baby.
Drive someone to a doctor’s appointment.
Help a child, whose parent is hospitalized, with homework.
Say psalms together or on behalf of the ill.
Take someone's car to be filled with gas.
Bring gift certificates from places which deliver food, so a family can make its own food choices and not feel dependent on what others cook for them.
Call when you are at the store, and say "I am here. What can I pick up for you?"
Share your hobbies, such as baking, singing or writing.
Smile.
Listen.
2. Prayer: Cantor Korn was kind enough to come in and sing Debbie Friedman's Mi Shebeirach, a prayer for healing with us.
Here is a video of Debbie singing it herself in 2001. So beautiful.
And here are the words should you want to work on it at home (Mi Shebeirach, Debbie Friedman Version)
Mi shebeirach avoteinu
M'kor hab'racha l'imoteinu
May the source of strength,
Who blessed the ones before us,
Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing,
and let us say, Amen.
Mi shebeirach imoteinu
M'kor habrachah l'avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing with r'fuah sh'leimah,
The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit,
And let us say, Amen
If you are interested in reading more about Debbie Freidman, the origin of this Mi Shebeirach melody and her legacy check out this short article from Tablet Magazine: Tablet Mag: Debbie Friedman
If you are interested in finding out more about role of prayer and healing in Judaism check out the National Center for Jewish Healing. This is a great place to start:
NCJH: About Jewish Healing I recommend the PDF article midway down the page: "Is Jewish Healing Kosher?"
3. Remembering: In class we focused on remembering those who have passed away with the tradition of lighting a yahrzeit candle. However, there are other traditions around remembering and honoring the dead. A good overview can be found here:
If your family is currently or finds its self in the future dealing with the death of a loved one please know that Temple Isaiah clergy is always available to consult. That said, here are a few resources for Jewish Children about death and mourning:
I cannot vouch for any of these books but they have good reviews and it is worth checking out. Storybooks are often an excellent way to start a family conversation on a hard topic.
The Parents Trauma Resource Network has a great chart with age specific signs of grief and loss and tips on how to help. It is a great resource. I use it all the time in my other job (not Jewish specific).
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