The Jewish Passover story is told as a part of the Passover Seder. The Seder is a special dinner on the first two nights of Passover in which rituals, symbolic foods, songs and discussion play a part, and you can get all of your guests, including the kids, involved with telling the Passover story and discussing Jewish practices.
The Place In The Hagaddah For The Story
When sitting around the Seder table, the participants each have a booklet that includes the order of the Seder, which is followed accordingly. The booklet is called a Hagaddah. In the Hagaddah, the section in which the story of Passover is told is called Magid, or telling. Here is some of what appears in the Magid section.
The Four Questions: Traditionally, the four questions are sung by the youngest child present at the Seder. The four questions are about ways in which the Seder night is different, and they include eating matzo instead of bread, eating bitter herbs, dipping parsley into salt water and reclining. Talking about the answers to the four questions begins discussion of aspects of the Passover story.
The Ten Plagues: The ten plagues are a part of the Passover story in which Pharaoh's refusals to release the Hebrew slaves led to a series of increasingly harsh plagues. The last plague, Death of the Firstborn, was the one that brought such grief to Egypt and Pharaoh personally, that he sent the Hebrew slaves away, and they left in haste.
Engaging Everyone In Telling The Story Of Passover
The Seder is meant to be interactive and include all ages. So be sure to try these ideas for making the Passover Seder a fun and traditional Jewish experience for everyone.
Assign Parts: Go around the Seder table reading, and let everyone have a turn. Be liberal if not everyone reads Hebrew, and allow English to be read. You can even let kids lead or take parts in a song such as Dayenu.
Questions And Answers: Passover is a time for discussion, and it's important to engage the children as well. Talking about different attitudes toward learning and Jewish practice is part of the holiday.
Sing Songs: Traditional songs and modern versions are all encouraged. Consider having some maracas or tambourines to make the songs extra lively for everyone.
 | Understanding the Passover traditions and history, along with the meaning of each of the 15 steps, can make the festival even more memorable. |
 | You have many options when choosing a Passover Haggadah. The varieties available allow the host to have a meaningful Seder that is tailored specifically for his or her guests' interests, allowing for thoughtful discussions, new ideas and new perspectives on the themes of Passover. |
 | Parents know that it's important to include some extra Jewish Passover activities for children so the long evening will go smoothly. |
Whether we are aware of it or not, most of us are somewhat familiar with the Jewish holiday of Passover. The story behind the holiday is not only well-known and well-documented (in films and television specials, for instance), but it is also quite an exciting tale. |&&|The Old Testament Tale |&&|Passover begins a few thousand years ago, in the biblical Old Testament times. |
Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is the celebration of freedom for the Jewish people. The story of Passover can be found in the Torah's second book, Exodus. The Jews were slaves of the Pharaoh in Egypt. They were forced to build his monuments and cities, or face death. |
