A Personal Exodus
B’chol dor vador: In each and every generation, every individual must feel as if they personally had come out of Egypt.
*To be told during the maggid or storytelling part at your seder (and turned in!)*
Passover is a time in which we, as Jews, recount the hardship, pain, suffering and oppression of b’nei Yisrael while in the land of Egypt. However we also are reminded to recall the intervention of Ad-nai, the bravery and fears of Moses, Aaron, Miriam, and the lasting ideas of redemption, freedom, and sacrifice.
As we work in class on ideas, themes and rituals of passover, I’d like for you to share with the class, myself, and those at your family seder this year: your own maggid: your own story of feeling “free,” of being redeemed, of getting through a hard time or a point which you struggled in the last year. The time I’d like you to think about is a time in which things changed for the better, however, the change wasn’t easy, and there was an obstacle you had to overcome.
Some examples: (you may, with their permission, interview a family member and share “their” exodus, but ask first and make sure their story is appropriate for class and for the seder). Starting a new job/ responsibility, family relationships, friend relationships, school, losing a loved one, stress, moving, being bullied, etc. If you are not sure, talk with your family about it and if you are wondering if what you want to write about is appropriate, email me!
So,
- Part ONE: Write it down!
Your story should be about one paragraph 1 and a half if you need it! Provide as much detail as you can. Who was involved? Where did it happen? When did it happen? What happened? What were the consequences? What changed for the better?
- Part TWO: Relate your exodus to the Exodus of the Jews from being slaves in Egypt to being free.
One paragraph, compare and contrast the two stories. The following are just ideas:
Recognizing the urgency for change in your family’s story and the Exodus from Egypt
Hardships involved in the process of your story and the Exodus from Egypt
Going to something “bigger and better”
Feeling of freedom
Remembering what you had to do to get to here, today!
So: Option one: Two Paragraphs, double spaced, typed, and be ready to share them in class, as well as at your seder. :)
Option two: create a powerpoint sharing your exodus with pictures, typed slides, art, etc.
Option three: write a poem to share your emotions and what it felt like to go from "slavery" to "freedom" in your experience. Also, if you write a poem, please also include one paragraph of what exactly your story is/ was.
Chag Pesach Kasher V’Sameach
Have a festive Passover, clean and happy!
-M. Yochanan :)
