Central Goes to Washington

This past week, eight Central students took a trip to Washington, D.C., to learn by doing. The trip, made in conjunction with Yeshiva University’s Political Action Club (YUPAC), served as a primer to lawmaking from the lobbyist’s perspective.

Juniors Samantha Burger, Aviva Kessock, Simona Pitterman, Meira Schuck, Tiferet Tuchman, and Channah Yurovsky, and seniors Leba Fass and Leba Weissman made the journey to the Capitol, accompanied by Central History teacher Mr. Richard Isaacs. Mr. Isaacs spoke to the importance of the trip to Washington: “I think the students learn how to advocate and even lobby for causes that are dear to them,” said Mr. Isaacs. “Specifically, they learn to lobby on behalf of Israel. But they also learn how to lobby members of Congress.”

During an appointment at Capitol Hill, Central students spotted Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey.

“We went to different lobbying appointments, talking with different congressmen about supporting Israel,” said Leba Weissman. “It was a great experience. We also spoke with Senator Cruz, which was very cool.”

Additionally, students visited the headquarters of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to learn more about AIPAC’s work promoting a strong relationship between the United States and Israel, and particularly about the group’s lobbying efforts with Congress.

The yeladim at HANC ECC made magnificent projects for Pesach including interactive Haggadahs, tie-dye matzah covers and pillowcases, beautiful Seder plates, and inspector hats for when searching for chametz.

Making Pesach Meaningful and Engaging for Small Children

Insights from HAFTR Early Childhood

It’s never too early to start building a love of and connection to Yiddishkeit among children. While Pesach is a favorite holiday among many, it may pose challenges to those with little ones. How can we help them connect to Pesach? How do we keep them engaged in the Seder?

HAFTR’s Early Childhood Director Cyndy Goldberg and Assistant Director Hannah Lippman have some helpful insights and tips. Engagement in the holiday is a partnership between home and school. In HAFTR, students learn all about the holiday in class while participating in fun Pesach activities. This year, Early Childhood students learned about Pesach through creating their own matzah trays, Haggadahs, Afikoman bags, and frogs. They will be learning about the process of making matzah, and they will participate in a model seder with their HAFTR family. Through music and art, in English and in Ivrit, the children know the chag through and through.

Hannah Lippman emphasizes that it’s important that this learning and excitement around the holiday continues to be fostered at home and at the Seder table. Her tip for parents is: “Students have been well prepared in school and they are excited to share what they have learned. Ask them questions, and let them show off their knowledge of Pesach!”

Cyndy Goldberg has some practical tips for running the Seder in an effective way for Early Childhood students. Her top six suggestions:

1) Make some “Matzah Tickets” before Pesach. Use them during the seder to reward your child for saying the Ma Nishtana, behaving at the seder table, and contributing stories to the sed- er. During Chol Hamoed, you can redeem those tickets for a prize that you and your child choose together.

2) Keep the Karpas Coming. Hungry tummies make for cranky children so give them a little extra serving of the Karpas to hold them up.

3) Don’t Passover the Books. There are so many great titles out there to keep your child busy during the Seder! Some of Cyndy’s favorites are “Who Will Ask the 4 Questions?” and “The Mouse in the Matzah Factory.”

4) Take a few “Plague Breaks.” As you are reciting the Ten Makot, take some movement breaks. Have your child hop around like a frog when it comes to Tzefardea. Run around like the wild beasts when it comes to Arov. Get the wiggles out!

5) Make the search for the Afikoman a team effort. This makes it a fun activity for young children.

6) Highlight the generations. The true purpose of the Seder is to pass down the Pesach story from one generation to the next. But why stop there? Ask the great-grandparents and grandparents seated at your table to share some stories about Seders past.

HAFTR would like to wish everyone a wonderful and meaningful Pesach! Chag kasher v’sameach!