Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Today we commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day.  While we celebrate Israel's independence with great joy, it has come at great cost in human lives to its citizens - more than 25,000 fallen soldiers since 1948.  Because of this loss, Israel honors the memory of those who gave their lives for their country on the day immediately preceding Yom HaAtzmaut, the joyous Independence Day celebration.  Israel's memorial day is not marked by picnics, fairs, great sales, and fireworks, rather sirens are sounded simultaneous throughout the entire country for one minute, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  As the alarm pierces the air, all traffic comes to a halt and everyone stands for a moment of silence in honor of those who have fallen. 

Once Yom HaZikaron ends, the festivities of Yom HaAztzmaut begin.  This year marks 64 years of the State of Israel.  Check out this great blog post of Benji Lovitt's list of sixty four things he loves about Israel.  

Hametz and Why We Destroy It

The central prohibition for Passover is the eaten of leavening, or hametz.  The Hebrew word “hametz” is translated as leavened bread and refers to food prepared from five species of grain--wheat, barley, oats, spelt, and rye--that has been allowed to leaven. To these, Ashkenazic [European Jewish] authorities add rice, millet, corn, and legumes. [It should be noted that the Conservative movement in Israel has declared that legumes may be consumed on Pesach even by its Ashkenazic followers.]

One treasured memory from my childhood was bedikat hametz, the search for hametz, which happened the night before Passover.  Armed with a feather and a candle (my mother was dedicated to making it an experience!), we searched the house for wayward crumbs.  I don't remember finding a huge amount, but I do recall the process of discovery and destruction.

If you would like to learn more of the traditions surrounding the search and destruction of hametz in advance of Passover, which begins Friday, April 6th, check out this great resource from MyJewishLearning.com. 

Shalom Sesame: It's Passover, Grover! On PBS this Month!

If you have not purchased the new DVD box set of Shalom Sesame, your children can still get a Passover dose of their Sesame Street and Shalom Sumsum (the Israeli version) friends.  Check your local PBS listings for when "It's Passover, Grover!" airs - in the DC area, I see it on the schedule for Friday, April 6th at 11am.  To check your local listings, as well as other Passover resources, check out: http://www.pbs.org/parents/shalomsesame/ 

 

Passover Recipes

The rules behind what you can and cannot eat during Passover can seem overwhelming and strict, but it doesn't mean you have to subjugate yourself to a week of matzo with cream cheese!  Check out these recipes and these as well - you might just find your new holiday favorite!

Anthology of Passover Resources

The local central Jewish education agency in the Washington DC area (the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning) has a number of holiday-specific resources - the comprehensive resource for Passover can be found here.  It is a huge list of a variety of Passover activities and games, here are a few of my favorites:

• Many Passover activities center around children - take time for yourself and read Dara Horn's bestseller On All Other Nights, a tale centered around a Jewish soldier in the Union army during the Civil War.  "Based on real historical figures and events, this sweeping, masterfully plotted, brilliant novel bridges the divide that still haunts America today: between those who value family and tradition first, and those dedicated at any cost to justice for all."  For a reading guide, check out this link.
• Download the Frog Teller Game, and add a fun, easy discussion to your seder.
• Another way to help stimulate your seder conversation is this set of thought-provoking questions.
• This is more informational than an activity, but if you've ever wondered why we have the category of prohibited foods called kitniot (think: beans, lentils, peas, etc.), check out this resource. 
• This website has a number of activities, coloring sheets, recipes, and podcasts.
• And last but not least, akhlah.com has a number of different Passover crafts - check out this page for instructions on how to make a matzah cover, Passover placemats, a reclining pillow, and tools to reenact the plagues.

Preparing the Perfect Passover

I love when great websites put together a collection of resources - it makes for a one-stop resource.  Behrman House Publishing - one of the largest publishers of Jewish educational material - recently posted this article - complete with games, recipes, and activities for your seder.  Check it out - you might find the perfect addition for this year's seder!