Community Corner
Grayslake Congregation Hosts Children's Seder
Nearly 40 children and parents from Grayslake and Lindenhurst congregations attended a Seder at Congregation Or Tikvah to observe the Jewish holiday of Passover, which begins Monday night.
As Jews plan to celebrate Passover that begins at sundown Monday, children gathered to learn, sing and share the foods that bring meaning this holiday.
Congregation Or Tikvah, the only conservative congregation in northern Lake County, hosted a mock Seder Sunday at its Grayslake temple for its religious education students.
Observed in early spring, Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. A highlight is the Seder, which is traditionally observed the first two nights of Passover.
President Howard Rood said part of the holiday’s meaning is to invite a guest to share the celebration. To do this, Rood said Or Tikvah welcomed religious education students from Congregation Am Echod in Lindenhurst to join the seder.
“It is a great sense of joining together and being a part of our community,” said Rebecca Santi, who leads religious education at Congregation Am Echod.
Gerald Schechter, who led the Seder for children ages 5 to 12, said these children are the future. If they don’t know what to do at a level they can understand, they will not see the holiday’s importance.
“One of the things we are supposed to do is to remember the Exodus and to put ourselves in the place of those who were there and to experience what it was like to go from slavery to freedom,” Schechter said. “It takes efforts like this where congregation gets involved. It gives the adults an opportunity to prepare for their children.”
The children followed the ritual of sharing prayers and eating foods that symbolize the holiday. Children passed around matzah to commemorate the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate when they left Egypt as well as bitter herbs to commemorate the bitter slavery endured by the Israelites.
“We came together to celebrate the Jewish traditions,” said 12-year-old Brandon Hohs of Round Lake Beach.
Schechter said the Seder gives the children an opportunity to read the prayers, join the songs and give them the understanding to one day to lead a service.
“I like singing and to help the congregation,” said 9-year-old Annie Robins of Grayslake, who came to the Seder's with her siblings, Daniel and Benjamin. "I get to sing and to be a part of the Seder and not just sit around.”
also will hold a community Seder open to the public at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 330 Barron Blvd., Grayslake. Call at (847) 543-1613 to reserve a spot. For information, visit their web site www.ortikvah.org.
