Lag LaOmer (BaOmer)

This year the 33 day of the Omer feels very different. Most years we have a fun community event.

14 years ago and last year. 

This year we made s'mores kits for our synagogue youth.

The Madrichim are delivering them.

Inside the bags, in addition to the s'mores supplies, is this activity packet.  Feel free to print and share this resource.

Here are two videos of me reading about the joy of gathering around the bonfire for this event.
A Holiday for Ari Ant and Sadie's Lag Ba'Omer Mystery

Happy Lag laOmer!

Planning our Tiyul

What do we need for our tiyul to Israel?
Here are three activity pages to work on early childhood skills and prepare for our trip.

Going on a Tiyul

We are going on a tiyul! 

What is a tiyul? 

Find out in today's video as a kick-off to our virtual Israel trip. 

And a coloring page to go with it.

Chametz vs. Matza

What is chametz? What is matza? One has to understand one to appreciate the other. 
In this installment, we will explore both.

Here is a video of me discussing chametz and matza as well as reading the book, The Mouse in the Matza Factory.

Here is a video exploring a real matza factory in Israel.

Distinguishing between chametz and food which can be eaten on Pesach is an important skill, beginning when we are young and continuing forever (Sorting is an important component of daily executive function. Knowing which foods are acceptable for Peach is a yearly issue.) 

One sorting game I like to play involves placing all the toy food on the floor. On one side of the room is a Pesach Food Sign. On the other side is a Chametz sign. Children get brooms and must sweep each food item to the correct sign.

Loads of fun, gross motor coordination, Pesach learning. Now they are ready to help sweep your house and prepare the food for Pesach!

Mah Nishtana - Sephardic

Getting ready for Pesach is a little different this year, but it does not change the importance of the youngest at the seder reciting Mah Nishtana מה נשתנה The Four Questions.

Here is a video of my youngest and I, using the special melody used by our Turkish community. Thank you David Maimon for providing the music.

Here is my blogpost reading The Littlest Levine.

The Littlest Levine

And here is where we learned the word לַיְלָה Liyla = Night.

For my Ashkenazic brethren.

Mah Nishtana - Ashkenazic

The fabulous educator, Moreh David, made me this video of the Ashkenazi Mah Nishtana.
Remember how important your job is, Littlest Ones.

And for my Sephardic brethren. 

The Littlest Levine

This story introduces the special role of the youngest to recite Mah Nishtana מה נשתנה The Four Questions.  
The next few posts will  be a further exploration of Mah Nishtana.