In the lively story Zayde Babysits Before Passover, readers follow along with Ruthie and her Zayde (Hebrew for “grandfather”) as they get ready for Passover. While their family prepares for a big meal, Ruthie and Zayde have their own to-do list. Each task on it foreshadows components of the seder: finger painting (dipping food in salt water); taking a nap (reclining on cushions); searching for ingredients in the grocery store (searching for the afikomen…).
The day is such a success that, by the end, both Zayde and Ruthie are looking forward to the next babysitting adventure together. The story not only highlights the beauty (and fun!) of relationships between members of different generations, it also serves as a great introduction to many of the rituals and experiences of the Passover seder.
Read
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Do
We experience the Passover seder with all of our senses, from smelling the sharp tang of maror (bitter herbs) to tasting the sweet fruit and spices of charoset (a mixture of fruit and nuts). By experiencing the story of Passover with our entire body, we participate more fully in the story. We taste the bitterness of tears by eating vegetables dipped in salt water. We feel our bodies relax in freedom and safety as we recline against cushions. We hear the songs our ancestors sang with joy and wonder, and we sing along with them. The Passover story becomes our story, an ongoing connection to our history.
Here are some other ways to discover Passover through the senses:
- Have fun making different types of charoset and do a taste test.
- Look for chametz together before the seder.
- What do you notice about how your house looks before the seder?
- What’s different from other nights?
- Dip your finger in the salt water — how does that feel?
- Listen to your guests as they sing “Dayenu.”
- Do you know the words?
- Ask a grown-up what they mean.
- Compare the smells of the spicy horseradish and the sweet charoset. Does anything else on the table smell sweet?
- Do these smells remind you of anything?
Discuss
Open your copy of Zayde Babysits Before Passover and spend time with each scene:
- What are some silly things Zayde does?
- Is there anyone in your family who is like Zayde?
- What Passover items can you find on the seder table?
- What does Ruthie enjoy doing at the seder?
- What’s your favorite part of the seder?
- Is there anything that Ruthie’s family does that your family does too? Anything different?
- Why do you think Zayde takes a nap after the grocery store?
- Does it look like Ruthie also falls asleep?
More
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