In Makom’s gathering space, already so filled with color and evidence of Jewish learning, families gather amongst themselves around a large circle of tables, deeply engrossed in their work. Some families share ideas with each other while educators float between the tables, pausing to connect over beautiful illustrations, poignant memories, and the unending creativity of young people. Several trays of tissue paper sit, arranged in a rainbow, creating an invitation of irresistible material which is hard to pass over.
At this moment, Makom learners are sharing their hard-earned Pesach knowledge with their grown ups, and in return, their grown ups are sharing the wisdom of their own experiences. Our conversation starter Seder plate is designed to invite intergenerational examination of Pesach. Families were invited to consider six prompts, each rooted in text and traditions contained in the Pesach Haggadah, which learners have spent our third unit studying. The collection of hand-drawn and written responses, crafted on the template page, carefully cut out, arranged, and mod podged to the plates, surrounded by a unique and colorful tissue paper backdrop, tell a story of each family’s relationship to struggle, overcoming hardships, and experience of joy, freedom, and celebration.
It is the co-mingling of these ideas, joy with heartache, freedom with constraint, celebration with struggle, which makes both the observance of Pesach and the finished products of these plates so poignant. One family brought me close to tears as their kindergartener showed me the slip of paper on which they had written that their grandparent died. Their parent and I connected over the ways that Jewish mourning rituals are designed to create communal support for the mourners, and, again, I was struck by the power of acknowledging the ways in which a loving community can make a narrow path so much easier to walk. Furthermore, I was bolstered by the ways in which programs like this one create a communal network in which families can share their experiences, easing that path and connecting in celebration, together.
Interested in exploring these ideas with your own family or community? All you really need is the prompts, a clear plastic or glass plate, and a group of thoughtful participants! I also recommend tissue paper and mod podge for the full effect, however this project could be equally meaningful if done in full on paper plates with markers and glitter glue. The important part is creating an opportunity for reflection, connection, and joyful artistic expression. Attached here is a pdf of the prompts and instructions, and a template of spaces for a 9 inch plastic plate. Happy crafting, and chag Pesach sameach!