What a winter!!! Cold, wind, snow and ice, no power, no phones… We couldn’t wait for it to end. It would make sense to celebrate the arrival of spring, and the holiday of Passover (Pesach) could help us celebrate in a meaningful way.
When Jews celebrate, we give thanks - so we can give thanks that the winter is over and the world is turning green again. This fits the other name for Passover, Chag HaAviv, or the Festival of Spring. During the Passover Seder we serve green vegetables to be thankful that spring has arrived and things are growing again. An interesting book that approaches the idea of planting seeds and helping the works of creation by growing things is A Prayer For The Earth: The Story of Naamah, Noah’s Wife (Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Jewish Lights, 1996). In a world devastated by the flood, Naamah, with the seeds she stored on the ark and her love for natural harmony, replants the gardens and forests. This tale, taken from ancient Jewish sources, inspires us to use our courage and creativity to continue Naamah’s work today. This message is very appropriate this Passover, since it includes Earth Day (April 23rd). Consider participating in one of DC’s local Earth Day activities during the holiday week/spring break (http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/EarthDay.htm).
The Passover Seder can be a time for fun celebrations, but it can also be a cause for some anxiety. Some individuals may not feel comfortable leading or participating in a traditional Seder. Let My People Go! By Tilda Balsley (Kar-Ben, 2008) guides you through the Exodus story in a “readers theater” format, scripted (with different colors for different roles) to encourage participation. Max’s 4 Questions by Bonnie Bader (Grosset & Dunlap, 2006) uses the many sets of 4’s (questions, cups of wine) to review the highlights of the Seder, and to encourage the asking of questions. A transliteration of the traditional questions is included on the back cover.
Our own local author Rabbi Mindy Portnoy wrote A Tale of Two Seders (Kar-Ben, 2010) to help families that have been through a divorce create new strategies for celebrating Jewish holidays in different households. We follow a little girl and her worries through the years, and find that families can adjust to new circumstances, and that rituals are still powerful ways to feel comfortable.
On May 9th (the 5th of Iyar),
Don’t forget to see
Save the date May 22nd 2011 for an
The holiday of Shavuot begins on the evening of June 7th (6th of Sivan). Among the themes commemorated on this holiday is the gift of Torah, a Book of Teachings we consider a “Tree of Life.” This could be a great opportunity to go over why having rules is an important way to help us through life. Try playing a board game or a sporting event without any rules. Try driving a car without a shared set of rules. Learning the rules of life and community living help keep order and fairness. Rules keep us safe, and sometimes do need to be questioned. You can start this discussion with young children through Ten Good Rules, A Counting Book (Susan Remik Topek, Kar-Ben, 2007). A deeper review of commandments is found in the classic Who Knows Ten? Children’s Tales of the Ten Commandments (Molly Cone, UAHC/URJ Press, 1973). A jumping off point for creative thinking about rules can be The 11th Commandment: Wisdom from Our Children (Jewish Lights, 1996). This book is written and drawn by children of all faiths living in
Spring can expand where and when you read with your children. Use the outdoors to stimulate questions and curiosity. Use trips and activities to make the values you read about come alive. For more resources, visit http://www.pjll.org/content/shulamith-reich-elster-resource-center and click on the personal resources button to enrich holiday and life celebrations.
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