A main component of the story of Passover is the introduction of the ten plagues that befell the Egyptians after refusing to free the Israelites from slavery.
With the second of the ten plagues being the frogs that engulfed Egypt and the Pharaoh, North Shore Congregation Israel Rabbi Ryan Daniels sensed a visual aid might be necessary to capture the attention of toddlers who joined him at a pre-Passover gathering on Friday.
Daniels dressed as Kermit, to add some color – in this case, green – with a green cap, gloves and feet as little ones learned about the story of Passover.
“We read the story about frogs in his head, in his bed and frogs on his toes. So we made it a little more fun,” Daniels said.
Daniels and song leader Lizzy Scheinkopf led the children in music in NSCI’s learning center three nights ahead of the first Seder, and on a Friday night, when Jews observe the Sabbath.
“It was a pre-Passover nod to Passover,” Daniels explained. “We were celebrating Shabbat and talking about Passover.”
As the children sang, their parents and grandparents observed, many with smiles on their faces.
“To see all the kids smiling is wonderful,” said longtime NSCI member Joel Cooper, who watched his granddaughter, Sadie, 4.
Deerfield’s Emily Mysel, who was there with her husband, Dan, and son, Max, 19 months, said it was a night to get away from today’s highly-charged political climate.
“It’s hard not to think of what is going on outside. I’m very appreciative we live in a loving, safe community, but it is hard not to think about what other people are going through,” she said.
As the little ones sang and learned in one part of the building, another pre-Passover preparation continued upstairs as families came together in a new venture. Roberta Goodman, NSCI’s education director, said there have been other times where families have come together to cook their own Shabbat dinners and celebrate together as a community, but this was the first time they did it with a Passover theme.
“It’s part of empowering families and connecting them to traditions, holidays and celebrations,” Goodman said.
Among the foods made included Matzah toffee and a kosher-for-Passover kugel.
“We try to introduce them to recipes they can use in their own homes,” Goodman said.
Among those participating was Isabella Jack, 6, who spread frosting on a piece of Matzah in a symbolic representation of the parting of the Red Sea, another aspect of the Passover story.
Penny Jack, Isabella’s mother, loved watching what her daughter was doing.
“I think it is a great way for the kids to be creative and to learn about their religion and have fun,” she said.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
