Trip to matzah factory connects children to Passover tradition
Chabad of SCV hosts matzah factory field trip, enriching students and parents learning
For many, Passover is a time of ritual and tradition. One ritual is the focus on eating foods that are unleavened, like matzah. A group of students from a of SCV’s Jewish school were able to experience the ritual of Passover first hand, in a unique way.
Passover began Friday April 22, and concludes tomorrow night. Many Jews honor the Biblical story of the Israelites’ break from slavery and oppression in Egypt with seder dinners and rich traditions.
“We have two Biblical commandments on the night of Passover, eat the matzah and tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt,” explained Choni Marozov, Rabbi at Chabad of SCV.
For a small group of students and parents from Chabad of SCV, these two commandments and the ritual of Passover was experienced up close during a field trip to a matzah factory on April 17.
Amy Gaines and her eight year old daughter Madeline attended the field trip. Gaines felt the experience was very enriching for both herself and her daughter.
“It was educational, realistic and meaningful for the children,” said Gaines. “It helps make the abstract ideas of the story more accessible for kids.”
During the field trip, a short play was performed focusing on the story of Passover. Performers were dressed in rich, colorful garments, sets were decorated and elements of the Passover story from Exodus were reenacted, including Egypt's 10 plagues.
“They didn’t just tell them the rules of Passover, they let the children experience it,” said Gaines.
“This made the kids feel like they were actually in Egypt,” said Jodi Poulton.
Poulton attended with her 10 year old son Nathan and her husband Jason. She said they all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt a greater understanding of the holiday.
“This is really a deeper way for them to connect with the ritual of Passover,” she explained. “Kids love how holidays, like Easter, are so commercial, but the Jewish holidays aren’t. This helped make the holiday extra special for the kids. They really got to feel like they were part of something special.”
Attendees moved from room to room, experiencing different elements of Passover, from the story of fleeing from Egypt to making the matzah. Children were guided through the process of removing the kernels from the wheat stalks, grinding the wheat, mixing the dough and baking it.
Suzie Unkeless and her son Jake, 9 years old, attended the field trip as well. Unkeless felt the experience offered the children a deeper understanding of Passover.
“This is great for kids,” said Unkeless. “The story itself can be complicated. This boiled it down to the highlights in a way they could understand that was funny and entertaining.”
Unkeless explained the actors were humorous and welcoming. They created an atmosphere where the children could ask questions and be a part of the process.
“This is something I’ve never heard of before, but it is a wonderful opportunity for Jewish families to access this cultural experience,” said Gaines.