Ma Koreh
Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary
Our focus in Jewish Life this week turned into preparing for Pesach.
We were busy in the kitchen, with some wonderful P&F helpers, preparing food for the various seders; preparing karpas and hazeret as well as making two types of charoset, a Sephardi version (a selection of dried fruits, seeds and spices that is cooked) and a more familiar Ashkenazi version (grated apples and cinnamon).
Year 5 and Year 6 had Seder experiences in their classrooms, going through the Hagaddah, discussing symbolic foods, singing Pesach songs and engaging in discussion around deeper themes and meanings connected to Pesach.
On Friday, we welcomed Years K-4 families to school for a range of Pesach activities. The Print 35 stall provided parents with the opportunity to purchase Pesach items, whilst enjoying the opportunity to shoomze and nosh between the various events.
We celebrated our Year K Pathways ceremony with parents, presenting their child with a decorated and inscribed hamsa frame, celebrating the meaning and symbolism of their child’s names.
Year 1 and Year 2 held a demonstration Seder with their parents, filled with traditional and modern Pesach songs, dancing and blessings.
Year 3 students and their families learnt about the modern Pesach ritual of Kos Miriam (Miriam’s cup) and created their own clay cup to use for a future Pesach Seder.
Year 4 students shared their learning on the meaning and symbolism of the number four in the Seder – the four names for the festival, the four questions, four children and four cups before creating and decorating an afikoman bag.
These multiple Pesach events took place on top of our regular school teaching and activities, requiring a team effort across the School.
Eliyahu HaNavi visits the Years 1 and 2 Seder
A big Todah Rabah to everyone involved in making these events happen, including:
- Justine and all the P&F helpers who helped in the kitchen and setting up the seders
- Maintenance Team who prepared the various rooms and campus for our events and guests
- Danny Burley for his musical accompaniment at the Seder
- Ben Marshall for his AV skills and set ups
- The whole Jewish Life Department, Hebrew teachers and informal educators for planning, preparing and running the events.
- Stacey Rosenfeld for all her amazing organisation, support and attention to detail.
- Ofer Levy for giving his time and expertise to take beautiful photos to record these moments for our community.
- Primary staff teachers and students for their support and involvement.
And a huge thank you to the families who joined us to celebrate.
Wishing you and your family a festive, meaningful and happy Pesach.
