By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — I never fail to be impressed by the creativity of our Torah School students and staff. Last Sunday our Torah School students participated in a “Model Seder.” As we began, I explained that this exercise was not in place of home seders, but rather to prepare our students to fully participate with their families.
Not only was their behavior and participation exemplary, each class also showed their understanding of the Seder and the Passover story in the skits and readings they presented. I was also moved that when Ruby found the afikoman, she insisted that the prize be shared with her “team” of four other students.
A special treat was the “Frog Launcher” that was brought to the seder by Lili Feingold. This giant contraption was placed in the cul-de-sac during break. Students lined up to see who could propel their beanbag frog into the basket placed several yards away. We did have a few winners, plus special recognition for the parent who made the longest frog throw.
I also want to inform you about a special project that was undertaken by Rachel Naor and her 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th grade students. Rachel’s students were asked to create a Passover themed art project for the Cottage of Israel in Balboa Park. The following description accompanied the display:
“Two works of art created from matza will help the House of Israel bring in Spring and Passover. The matza mosaic of a sheep, inspired by famous Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman, is meant to invoke the symbol of the Paschal Lamb. The matza Dead Sea Scroll sculpture will sit atop the House’s permanent stone rendition of the Dead Sea Scrolls to offer a seasonal aspect to this historical symbol of the Land of Israel.
“The pieces were created by students in 2nd-4th and 6th grade at Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Abraham Ratner Torah School under the guidance of Rachel Naor. Students particularly enjoyed grinding matza up to make it look like sand, signing their Hebrew names on one of the scrolls and assembling the colorful pieces of matza that they had painted into a mosaic image. As part of the process, the students had the opportunity to touch a museum replica of the Dead Sea Scrolls and study a Haggadah that Kadishman illustrated featuring sheep.”
The art pieces should be on display at the Cottage of Israel on Sundays from noon until 4:00 p.m., beginning on April 5 (which unfortunately is Passover). We are waiting for confirmation that they will continue to be exhibited until May 31. Afterwards, we plan to display them in the synagogue at 6660 Cowles Mountain Boulevard, San Diego.
Judy and I wish you a Chag Kasher v’Sameach.
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. Your comment may be sent to leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com, or posted on this website per the instructions below.