SIMI YOUNGSTERS LEARN MEANING OF PASSOVER AT SEDER WORKSHOP.Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer Preparing to commemorate the liberation of their ancestors Ancestors See also father; heredity; mother; origins; parents; race. archaism an inclination toward old-fashioned things, speech, or actions, especially those of one’s ancestors. Also archaicism. — archaist, n. from slavery in Egypt, nearly 100 children gathered Sunday at Congregation B'Nai Emet - Simi Valley's only Jewish temple Jewish temple:
The eight-day Passover holiday will be celebrated beginning at sundown Wednesday, marked by special Seder dinners during which family and friends take turns reading from the Haggadah, the narrative story of the Exodus from Egypt. Sunday's three-hour model Seder featured a number of activities - geared for youngsters from preschool to eighth grade - including holiday craft making and a matzo factory. By participating in the day's event, youngsters learned the meaning of Passover - an ancient festival celebrating the freedom won by the early Hebrew slaves from the Egyptian Pharaoh. Eleven-year-old Charlie Slonaker of Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. particularly enjoyed learning Hebrew, and making matzo. ``Hebrew is pretty cool,'' the youngster said. ``And matzo, it tastes like tortillas.'' The children also learned the significance of Seder symbols and customs, and why certain rituals are performed. Making matzo, they learned that observant ob·ser·vant adj. 1. Quick to perceive or apprehend; alert: an observant traveler. See Synonyms at careful. 2. Jews do not eat leavened leav·en n. 1. An agent, such as yeast, that causes batter or dough to rise, especially by fermentation. 2. An element, influence, or agent that works subtly to lighten, enliven, or modify a whole. tr.v. bread during Passover to signify the speedy departure from Egypt during which the Hebrew slaves had no time to let bread rise. The youngsters particularly focused on the Seder plate - placed at the center of the table - which holds five food items that signify the Passover story. ``This is a fun way for them to celebrate this holiday and Judaism,'' said Rabbi rabbi [Heb.,=my master; my teacher], the title of a Jewish spiritual leader. The role of the rabbi has undergone a number of transformations. In the Talmudic period, rabbis were primarily teachers and interpreters of the Torah. Michele Paskow. ``This is one of the most fundamental holidays. They learn our history of creation, liberation, freedom, revelation and sanctification sanc·ti·fy tr.v. sanc·ti·fied, sanc·ti·fy·ing, sanc·ti·fies 1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate. 2. To make holy; purify. 3. .'' Paskow added the day's activities not only taught the children their history, but also helped prepare them for what they will need to know when holding a Seder at home with their families. ``This helps them know what to do,'' Paskow said. Rachel Shaff, 16, said she remembers attending model Seders when she was a child. ``It didn't mean a lot to me when I was little,'' said the Simi Valley High School Simi Valley High School is a secondary school located in Simi Valley, California which was established in 1920 as the first high school in the valley. It nestles in the Santa Susana Mountains and is adjacent to the San Fernando Valley, part of the city and county of Ventura. sophomore. ``But as I got older, the more I learned about how important this holiday is.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Rabbi Michele Paskow of Congregation B'Nai Emet lead s the three-hour model Seder for children Sunday. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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