You’ve barely washed the make-up off your little Vashti or Batman and it’s time to figure out an age appropriate Seder for kids, plus how to keep the adults interested. It’s lucky that there are so many sources of help. I suggest you spend some time with one or more haggadahs (haggadot in Hebrew) to figure out what works best for you this year.
A few suggestions
- Age appropriate experiences –review this chart of how kids understand spiritual concepts and stories at different ages. Based on their ages, how are your children processing the ideas raised by Passover? Is this a good age to act out the story? Or to read books? Play with plastic items representing the ten plagues? Watch Prince of Egypt? If they are older, is it time to invite them to tell the story or parts of it?
- Length of the evening – the evening will include a meal that is preceded by the Seder. How long can your children and guests remain interested? Don’t bore them or they won’t be willing to do this again. If YOU want a longer, more intellectual Seder, plan to attend one hosted by a synagogue or Chabad. You can always have two nights of Seder. Maybe one is for you and the other is for kids.
- Be informed – PLEASE learn as much as you can, i.e. more each year, about Passover. Be a resource for your children and others who didn’t receive a Jewish education. You may choose to modify or alter a part of the Seder, but know the traditional practice for your local community* and be clear when you are varying from it.
It breaks my heart when an adult from an interfaith family tells me they felt shame when they learned they were not taught what the rest of the Jewish world was doing as they were doing an alternate version. It made them feel dumb and not authentically Jewish.
*For most of us the local community is Ashkenazi of European descent.
- Enjoy yourself – this is one of the most meaningful, joyous and fun holidays. YOU should have a good time. If you feel torn between what you think you should do and what you want to do, contact me. Let’s find the right path for you. (dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org)
Is there something concerning you that I haven’t covered? Probably. So just contact me and we’ll explore your interests/concerns.
Where to find those community Seders?
The Jweekly has compiled a list of Bay Area Seders. Take a look here.
I’ll be sharing more ideas next week. If there is a particular issue you’re facing just let me know and I’ll do some research for you.