Passover 2017/ 5777

In the weeks leading up to and following Passover, Davis Academy students across the grade levels participate in meaningful Passover related learning. Mechina children lead their first model seder using The Sammy Spider Haggadah, kindergarten children travel around the school reenacting different parts of the Passover story, 1^st graders show off their emerging Hebrew skills with Morah Galia, 2^nd graders put on a seder “show” that focuses on generating authentic conversations across the generations, 3^rd graders sample Passover traditions and cuisines from around the world, 4^th graders dip strawberries in chocolate as part of their year of studying creative ritual, and 5^th graders have a “Freedom Seder” based on an actual seder from 1969 that brought Jews and African Americans together in celebration of Civil Rights. In the weeks following Pesach, our 6^th graders will teach their peers at Queen of Angels Catholic School about the holiday, our 7^th graders will explore the meaning of freedom in Washington D.C. and our 8^th graders will fulfill the vision of the closing words of the Haggadah, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Each of these experiences is possible because of the authentic learning that empowers the children to be full participants.  

All of these educational experiences make a profound impact on our children and this impact is even greater when it is reinforced at home. Those families that have rich Passover traditions can look forward to the dynamic interaction between your home traditions and the new ideas and insights that your children bring with them from The Davis Academy. And those families that are relatively new to Passover can begin to build traditions with these same resources while drawing on other family holiday celebrations to help infuse Passover with special spirit. 

The amazingly joyful and creative Passover experiences here at The Davis Academy coupled with each family's personal practices is what creates theunbreakable bond and connection for our children. And this point holds true well beyond Passover. Among the many exceptional aspects of The Davis Academy Kehilah is the strong sense of shared values and traditions. Whether they know it or not, our children have the special blessing of growing up in an integrated community where school and home join together in a sacred covenant of mutual respect and support so that our children may find and appreciate their unique place in the world.