Like us, children take comfort in the familiar; a story, a song, or an event that they can connect between their experiences at home and school.   In many ways, the cycle of Jewish Holidays reinforces this for our children.  What they remember from last year, new ideas that can be added, and how they share this knowledge with their most important community. As adults, we get to reflect and evolve with the stories that have remained the same.  How is my life different this year from last year at Passover?  How have I changed?  How will my experiences impact how I celebrate this holiday in my community this year?

When Morah Rebecca and I created our Passover Journey last year, our goal was to create an immersive experience of the Passover Story focusing on three main feelings.  Hardship, Wonder, and Gratitude. Will a specific feeling resonate more with our students this year than last year?  Working in Egypt, or Gratitude in the desert for being with our community?  

This year, we reflected on our initial dive into experiential holiday events.  We smiled as we took out our Red Sea Fabric, puffed up our manna clouds, added more batting, and celebrated the pre-cut fish that have yet to be colored with our children for this year.  We mirrored and modified the experience as necessary, and, like last year, are excited to share the Passover Journey with our learners.  With the repetition of the familiar, Morah Rebecca and I can pay attention to small details; be more present in the experience, and reflect as a team about the journey of learning we take with our learners each day.

I look forward to hearing the connections our learners make to the Passover Journey with an extra year of wisdom and learning in their lives.

I am thankful I get to reflect on my journey as Gan Shalom Director with this community of open, kind, and thoughtful people.

May we all have a moment to reflect on our journeys during the Passover Holiday.

 Adrienne Rosen

Director of Gan Shalom Nursery School

Shaliyah 4.22.24