List of characters:
- A slave
- Pharaoh
- Child looking for the Afikoman
- A matza baker
- A parent looking for chametz
- An Egyptian going into the Red Sea
- Moses leading the people in the desert...
Identity Cards
Ahead of time, prepare cards with the names of characters from the story of the Exodus and the Haggadah - see list below.
Pin or stick a card on the back of each participant, who then has to guess his or her identity by asking questions of other participants - but answers can only be in the form of "yes" or "no".
When everyone has guessed their personality, form groups [3-5 participants] and have them build sketches involving their characters.
List of personalities:
- Moses
- Miriam
- Pharaoh
- Aaron
- The Four Sons
- Elijah
- Pharaoh's daughter...
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Puzzle Pairs
There are many expressions connected to Pesach [in English or Hebrew] which comprise two words or ideas [see list below]. Make up cards with expressions and cut them in two, between the words. You may use the lexicon and the Haggadah to find more examples.
Give each participant a piece of card. Have the group move around the room calling out their word and looking for the partner who is their "other half".
Option: play in the dark or with eyes closed.
List of expressions:
- Counting / the Omer
- Bedikat / Hametz
- Matza / shemurah
- Unleavened / bread ...
CARDS & RANKING EXERCISE
Goal:
Discussion in greater depth of the significance of Pesach as perceived by the participants.
Preparation:
Each participant will need 15 playing card sized peices of paper or poster board and a pencil.
Prepare lists of Pesach topics. Procedure:
- Distribute paper, pencils and lists.
- Explain that this is an exercise where one's personal opinion is important and that there are no right or wrong answers.
- Each participant chooses 15 items from the list which seem significant in terms of Pesach and writes one down on each card.
- Each participant now selects what seem the three least significant of the 15 in terms of celebrating Pesach and sets them aside for later. Allow 5 minutes.
- Divide participants into small groups [4-6].
- Have each group now look at the 3 cards each person has chosen and discuss why this choice was made.
- The groups now have to choose their 3 "most significant" items and note their reasons for doing so.
- Bring everyone back together. In between each presentation, sing a Pesach song!
- Discuss briefly:
- why we celebrate Pesach today?
- how we can preserve the most important elements of the Festival today.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Goal:
Enhance understanding of the motives behind the major characters of the Pesach story and make the historical facts relevant today.
Preparation:
Bible [Book of Exodus], any short history of Pesach, Haggadah. Optional: film, "The Ten Commandments" - use selected sections only.
Procedure:
The group is divided into a panel of three personalities - Moses, Aaron and Pharaoh - who can also be played by the counselors, and a group of journalists.
Allow time for journalists to prepare Press Cards and questions to the panel, while the panel may compose a short press statement.
Emphasize that the panel members must act in role and should try to show themselves to their best advantage, while the Press should aim for a deeper understanding of the events and can use any sources they choose to make their point.
Arrange seating.
Open with the press statements. The floor is open to questions from the Press. If no-one kicks off, the organizer can start with something like: "Pharaoh, why did you wait so long to let the Jewish people go free?"
Optional extension:
In teams, create sections of a wall newspaper depicting elements of the major events leading to the Exodus.
DAYENU
Goal:
Create a collapsible [accordion-style] collage of relevant events. Note: A two-session activity.
Preparation:
- Copies of the Dayenu song in Hebrew and English for everyone
- Cardboard or poster board panels approx 27x34 cm for each group
- Image bank - use old photo magazines etc
- White paper
- Felt tip pens, crayons, pencils, rulers, glue
- Crafts materials
- Packing or heavy masking tape
- Contact paper to cover panels
Procedure:
The Dayenu song is a historical summary of events from the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt until their entry into the Promised Land - and after. Divide the participants into groups of 2 or 3 and allocate one line per group.
Each group has to research the history of the event mentioned in their line and collect materials.
In the second session, each team creates its collage of the event on a panel. When everyone has finished, all the panels are connected, the whole song is sung and the project's findings are reviewed. The mini-exhibition can be used to decorate the club or meeting room.
PERSONAL TESTIMONIES
In the context of Pesach and its educational messages about Jewish life, there are a number of simple projects which can be developed to convey not only the richness of the tradition, but also the relevance of its meaning. You will require three or four sessions to complete the project, plus technical facilities.
In your community, find a number of people who were born in different countries and have clear memories of their Pesach traditions. They will need to agree to be interviewed at home or even in the educational setting where you work and it would help if they have interesting artefacts or family albums which can be copied as photos or photocopies.
Decide whether you are interested in preparing one or more of the following:
- A slide-tape series
- A short video
- An album
- An exhibition
In teams, prepare your participants for their interview, so that they know whom they will be meeting and what is special about that person's history. Have them prepare questions about the Seder, Pesach traditions, special objects, mementos, Jewish life in their country of origin, reasons for leaving...
Each team interviews their subject and then sits down to discuss the features they wish to highlight.
Together with the counselor or leader, each team draws up a project outline and begins to work...
Presentations and Review.