• Passover

    Celebrating Understanding: Passover in Our Community

    Today, April 22, 2024, marks the beginning of Passover, a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar, commemorated worldwide including here in our Saint Louis Public Schools community. This eight-day festival is rich in history and tradition, and provides a wonderful opportunity for all of us—students, parents, and staff—to learn about and show respect for the cultural diversity that enriches our community.

    What is Passover?

    Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is an annual celebration that commemorates the Exodus, where Jewish people were liberated from slavery in Egypt over 3,000 years ago. This story is foundational in Jewish culture and religion, symbolizing resilience, freedom, and faith. The central ritual of Passover is the Seder meal, which includes reading from a text called the Haggadah. This ritual meal includes symbolic foods like Matzah (unleavened bread), which is eaten throughout the eight days to remember the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, leaving no time for their bread to rise.

    Traditions and Customs

    Passover traditions vary among Jewish communities, but all focus on themes of liberation and thanksgiving. Other customs include:

    • Cleaning the Home: Leading up to Passover, homes are thoroughly cleaned to remove chametz (leavened bread and other food forbidden during the holiday).
    • Seder Plate: This special plate holds symbolic foods such as bitter herbs (maror), symbolizing the bitterness of slavery, and charoset, a sweet paste representing the mortar used by the Jewish slaves.
    • Four Questions: During the Seder, the youngest child at the table traditionally asks four questions about why this night is different from all other nights, prompting discussion and storytelling.

    How to Show Respect and Good Wishes

    If you know someone celebrating Passover, expressing a simple greeting can be a thoughtful gesture of solidarity and respect. Here are two common greetings:

    • “Happy Passover!” – A simple and universally appreciated greeting.
    • “Chag Pesach Sameach!” – This Hebrew phrase (pronounced “Khag Pay-sakh sah-may-akh”) translates to “Happy Passover Festival!”

    Inclusion in Our Schools

    In the spirit of inclusivity and education, Saint Louis Public Schools encourages an environment where all cultural traditions are acknowledged and respected. Learning about Passover and its significance not only enriches our understanding but fosters a supportive community where every student feels valued and recognized.

    As we continue to embrace the diverse tapestry that makes up our district, let's take this opportunity to engage with and learn from each other. Whether through classroom activities, library resources, or community events, understanding Passover is a chance to celebrate the shared values of freedom and respect that unite us all.

    We wish all who are observing a meaningful and joyful Passover. Chag Pesach Sameach!