Passover learning has been filled with meaning, preparation, and hands-on exploration as students actively brought the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt) to life.

Students prepared their hearts and spaces through bedikat chametz, searching for bread with the help of CJDS Parent Rabbis Aaron Finkelstein, David Minkus, and David Russo. This shared experience helped students to connect their learning with traditional Passover rituals.

In the Food Lab, Kindergarten students rolled up their sleeves to prepare for their own seder on Thursday. Through cooking and preparation, they deepened their understanding of the holiday in a joyful, tangible way.

Grade 5 students created their own Ve’hi She’Amda Haggadah to showcase their learning of Shemot and Megillat Esther. Ve’hi She’Amda is a text recited during the seder that reminds us that threats to the Jewish people have arisen in every generation, yet we endure. They reflected on why Pharaoh and Haman targeted the Jewish people and about the upstanders who acted against injustice.

Across the school, classrooms have been filled with questions, creativity, and discovery as students connect ancient traditions to their own experiences. From searching and preparing to creating and celebrating, Passover learning at CJDS reflects a powerful blend of inquiry, tradition, and joyful engagement.