Preschool Learners: The Journey of the Jewish People
RONA NOVICK
ESTI HECHT
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ACTIVITY 1: HELP AND HELPERS (The words below are included as a guide— feel free to use your own!) Let’s all imagine our table is a place we want to be, maybe even Israel. But we have to take a trip to get there, so let’s all move our chairs a little bit away from the table. Remember, when the Jews wanted to leave Egypt, they couldn’t. Moshe and Hashem helped them so they could start their journey to the Land of Israel. We are going to take turns to tell about a time when someone helped us to get to a place we wanted, or to do something we wanted to do, but could not do on our own. When each person tells their story, they will move their chair back to the table. If anyone tells a story where Hashem or believing in Hashem helped them, we will all clap when they move their chair to the table. TIP: If you have a large group, you may consider naming a preschooler as the activity leader and instruct them to walk around the table, and tap a few people on the shoulder to share their story and move forward.
Adults easily appreciate the Haggadah’s story of our journey from persecution to redemption, with Hashem’s help, and when simplified, preschoolers can too. We can promote their understanding by discussing the Jewish journey from Egypt, a place of pain and troubles, to somewhere better. Preschoolers can relate to a journey that has unexpected twists and turns which made it scary at times. We can ask them about journeys they have taken, to a friend, or a vacation, and we can remember with them challenges along the way. As the Jewish people were helped on their journey by the constant presence of Hashem and his promise to protect them, preschoolers can recall those who helped them on their journeys and Hashem’s presence in their lives. TEACHING TIP: Preschoolers benefit from concrete examples. Asking them about a trip they took, delays or problems they encountered, and how parents or others were helpful can set the stage for considering the journey of the Haggadah.
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ON THIS NIGHT WE ARE ALL TEACHERS
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