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Teachings, Activities, and Discussions

from Our Ramah Family to Yours

2017/5777

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Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of Contents A Note from the Executive Director ........................................................................................................... 1

Haggadah Options for your Family ............................................................................................................ 2

The Secret Code of Passover ...................................................................................................................... 2

Master Chef- Haroset Challenge ................................................................................................................. 4

Is the Statue of Liberty a Jewish Feminist? ................................................................................................. 5

Heads Up! Seder Style ................................................................................................................................. 7

Haggadah Baseball Meets March Madness ............................................................................................... 7

Seder Tracker .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Seder Bingo ................................................................................................................................................. 9

Symbols of Freedom ................................................................................................................................... 9

Splitting the Sea .......................................................................................................................................... 9

Counting the PoconOmer! ........................................................................................................................ 10

A Note from the A Note from the A Note from the A Note from the Executive Executive Executive Executive DirectorDirectorDirectorDirector Rabbi Joel Seltzer

The words of the Maggid section of our Haggadah begin with what is meant to be a call out to our community:

אבהתנא בארעא דמצרים. כל דכפין ייתי ויכל. כל דצריך ייתי ויפסחהא לחמא עניא די אכלו .

“This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in the Land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat.

Let all who are in need, come celebrate Passover.”

Although it is traditional to open the front door of the house while reciting this verse, it always struck me as a bit

odd – hasn’t the chance to invite people to our seder come and gone at that point? Are we really expecting a

traveling Jew to happen by our door at that very moment?

Well there is another possibility here as well. What if we are not meant to recite these words ‘out’ into the

world, but rather ‘inside’ of ourselves? What if it is meant to be a spiritual kavanah, a prayer of intention, prior

to starting our journey through the Haggadah?

“This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in the Land of Egypt.”

(This is why I am here tonight, to participate in our people’s epic narrative of slavery to redemption!)

“Let all who are hungry come and eat, let all who are in need, come celebrate Passover.”

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(What am I hungry for in my life? Community? Spirituality? Purpose? Meaning? And how can my participation in

this Seder be a transformative experience for me and my family? How can I nourish others while still managing

my own needs for sustenance?)

In our continued attempts to bring the power of the Ramah experience to your seder table, we proudly offer you

our 4th annual edition of Ramah at Your Seder Table; a collection of teachings, poems, and ideas which we hope

will help you and your family ready to sit down, and “let all who are hungry, come and eat."

From our Ramah family to yours:

Chag Kasher v’Sameach,

Rabbi Joel Seltzer

Executive Director

Camp Ramah in the Poconos

HaggadahHaggadahHaggadahHaggadah OptionOptionOptionOptions for your Familys for your Familys for your Familys for your Family

The following Haggadot are all good options for seders for the whole family:

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The Secret Code of PassoverThe Secret Code of PassoverThe Secret Code of PassoverThe Secret Code of Passover Rabbi Joel Seltzer

Everyone knows that Pesach is a central holiday to the Jewish experience; it is the Chag HaAviv, the Festival of

Springtime, it is the time to gather around the Seder Table and share our national story of redemption from

bondage.

But, not everyone knows that the dates of Pesach each year, actually form a ‘code’ which you can use to unlock

the Jewish calendar for the rest of the year!

In order to unlock the code, first you need to know the history of one of the oldest ‘ciphers’ in the world,

“ATBASH.” ATBASH is an ancient cipher which stands for א=ת ב=ש, or Aleph = Tav; Bet = Shin.

In order to write in the code, all you have to do is substitute the corresponding opposite letter in the alphabet

with your desired letter.

Plain ת ש ר ק צ פ ע ס נ מ ל כ י ט ח ז ו ה ד ג ב א

Cipher א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ל מ נ ס ע פ צ ק ר ש ת

But what’s all this have to do with Pesach?

Well it’s simple, apply the cipher to the days of the week upon which Pesach falls, and magically a code will

reveal itself! For example in this year…

'א = The First Night of Pesach = Monday night � ת' שעה באבת = / Tisha B’Av (which falls on a Monday this

year!)

בועותש = ש' � Second Night of Pesach = Tuesday night = ב' / Shavuot (which falls on a Tuesday this year!)

'ר � Third Night of Pesach = Wednesday night = ג' אש השנהר = / Rosh HaShanah (which falls on a Wednesday

evening this year!)

ריאת התורה שהיא שמחת תורהק = ק' � Fourth Night of Pesach = Thursday night = ד' / K’riyat HaTorah

(Simchat Torah) (which falls on a Thursday night this year!)

'צ � Fifth Night of Pesach = Friday night = ה' ום כיפורצ = / The Tzom of Yom Kippur (which means Yom Kippur

falls on a Friday night this year!)

וריםפ = פ' � Sixth Night of Pesach = Saturday night = ו' / Purim (this means that the PREVIOUS Purim was on a

Saturday night (close enough!))

צמאותע = ע' � Seventh Night of Pesach = Sunday night = ז' / Yom HaAtzma’ut / Israeli Independence Day

(which falls on a Sunday night this year; though it actually gets pushed to Monday night because of Shabbat and

Yom HaZikkaron, but that’s another story!!)

So this year – when you are sitting at your Seder Table, see if your guests can ‘Crack the Code’ that unlocks the

rest of the Jewish year!

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Master ChefMaster ChefMaster ChefMaster Chef---- Haroset ChallengeHaroset ChallengeHaroset ChallengeHaroset Challenge

(Inspired by Chopped Champion, Chef Timothy Witcher)

Dr. Andrea Lieber, Rosh Hinuch

One of my favorite camp peulot (activities) is a version of Master Chef, Jr. where teams compete to create their

“recipe” for a great kayitz (summer) at Ramah. Here’s a fun way to adapt this idea for your seder table….

Who says the Haroset has to be fully prepared before the seder starts?

In this game, your guests compete to create the tastiest, most creatively

presented Hillel Sandwich!

What you’ll need:

Instead of placing fully prepared bowls of haroset on your table, put out

small dishes with a variety of ingredients. While most Ashkenazi Jews

use the standard chopped apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine, there are

many, many varieties of haroset around the world.

In fact, the Song of Songs, which is customarily read on Passover, actually contains its own recipe! Rabbinic

tradition suggests that each of these foods represents the virtues of the Jewish people:

“Your love is better than wine.

“Feed me raisin cakes, refresh me with apples...

“Earth nourishing tree and vine, green figs and tender grape, green and tender fragrance.”

Get creative and offer grated citrus peels, chopped ginger, kumquats or other exotic fruits and nuts. If you’re

worried about giving the kids access to wine, use date honey or grape juice as an alternative.

Have small bowls available for mixing.

What to do:

When it’s time for Korech (the Hillel Sandwich), give everyone 2-3 minutes to develop and prepare their own

haroset. Guests can work in teams or individually. When the two minutes are up, allow another minute to build

their sandwiches, but don’t eat them yet! Go around the table and invite each team to share their recipe. As an

added level to the challenge, teams can share their ideas about what each item in their haroset symbolizes.

Once everyone eats their sandwich, be sure to allow the variety of haroset recipes to be shared around the

table!

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Is the Statue of Liberty a Jewish Feminist?Is the Statue of Liberty a Jewish Feminist?Is the Statue of Liberty a Jewish Feminist?Is the Statue of Liberty a Jewish Feminist?

Dr. Andrea Lieber, Rosh Hinuch

A guiding principle behind our educational philosophy at Ramah is that we strive in all we do to teach children

that Judaism is relevant—to our own lives, to our families and to the broader world in which we are living.

The seder presents so many opportunities to demonstrate the ongoing

relevance of our tradition. As we relive our people’s ancient journey

from slavery to freedom, we also recall the many other journeys

throughout history that have defined our families’ narratives—the

stories of migrations in search of new opportunities and liberties,

whether in America, Israel or around the world. This year, with all the

current political talk about immigration, I was inspired to revisit the

sonnet of Jewish poet and activist, Emma Lazarus (1849-1887), which

appears in many contemporary haggadot:

Most elementary school children understand The Statue of Liberty as a

gift from France that celebrates America’s welcome to new immigrants,

arriving in the New York Harbor. The seder is a great time to explore

some lesser known facts about the statue and the words inscribed on its

pedestal.

While “Lady Liberty,” designed by sculptor Frederic Bartholdi, was gifted to America in 1883, the idea of the

statue came out of a conversation between Bartholdi and French abolitionist Edouard de Laboulaye, back in

1865--the same year the US ratified the 13th amendment to the constitution, abolishing slavery.

Because the statue stands so high on her pedestal, it’s hard to see

the broken chains and shackles that rest at her feet. But, these

broken chains are a key feature of her symbolism—as she

welcomes those who enter New York’s harbor, she symbolizes the

American value of democracy, and the end to all forms of

oppression.

How amazing that the words inscribed on the Statue’s base were written by a Jewish woman! Emma Lazarus

was a wealthy, educated Sephardic Jew, who was moved by the plight of Ashkenazi Jews who migrated to the

US in the late 19th Century. Her poem contrasts Lady Liberty with the Colossus of Rhodes, a statue of the ancient

Greek God, Helios, which stood at the entrance to the port of Rhodes in antiquity.

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Unlike the conquering, militaristic image of the “Old Colossus,” Lady Liberty is the “New Colossus.”

The New Colossus (1883)

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Discussion:

• Compare the images of the “New” and “Old” Colossus.

• What ideas/ideals do you think each image symbolizes?

• What do you think Emma Lazarus is trying to say in calling her “Mother of Exiles”?

• Why did the French see a connection between the abolition of slavery and democracy? How is this issue

explored in the Passover story?

• Fun fact: “twin cities” refers to Brooklyn and Manhattan, not Minneapolis and St. Paul!

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Heads Up! Heads Up! Heads Up! Heads Up! SederSederSederSeder StyleStyleStyleStyle Staci Boiskin

In preparation of your seder, someone should write out about 50 or so index cards with different Passover

symbols, characters, foods, and traditions on them. This person will officiate the game, and not be an active

participant. During the course of the seder the officiant can stop and give a few cards to a Heads Up volunteer.

The volunteer must not look at the words on the cards. They can hold the cards face down one at a time, and

show everyone else the words. Everyone must give the volunteer clues to guess what is on the card. The

officiant will make sure that only 30 seconds are spent on each word. The game can be fast moving! If the

volunteer guesses the words in the time allotted, they get points. The volunteer at the end of the night with the

most points wins the game.

Some words you can put on the cards: Pharaoh, ten plagues, frogs, wild beast, Miriam's Cup, Elijah's Cup, the

Wise Son, bricks, slaves, pyramids, salt water, Egypt, etc.

Have fun!

Haggadah Haggadah Haggadah Haggadah Baseball Meets March MadnessBaseball Meets March MadnessBaseball Meets March MadnessBaseball Meets March Madness Rabbi Joshua Z. Gruenberg

For Children up to Bar Mitzvah and adults with somewhat short attention spans:

Sometimes the seder can be a little long. To keep things interesting, we like to

create a little side action. Create an NCAA like bracket (if you don’t know this

check out http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/bracket)

using all of the people in your seder. Here is how the game works:

Haggadah Baseball:

One person calls a page number, and the other person must try and open their closed book as close as they

can to the called page. If they are less than 5 pages away it is a home run, less than 10 a triple, less than 15 a

double, less than 20 a single and more than 20 an out. Each game lasts two innings.

Anyone who is playing against one another must sit next to each other for the first round. To preserve a victory,

one is required to tell the table one new thing about the seder you read on a page you randomly turned to.

Failure to do so, allows the opponent the opportunity to steal the victory. If neither player is able they get one

more chance and are then both disqualified. This game can take place either throughout the seder or be a way

to provide breaks that keep people engaged. Eventually you will get to a final four and those games should take

place during the Afikomen celebration. There should obviously be prizes for the winners, and potentially a

yearly trophy.

Children can create the bracket on poster-board prior to the seder with name cards and tape that allow you to

keep track. We have found that this is a fun way to keep people of all ages interested and learn new and weird

things about the seder.

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SederSederSederSeder TrackerTrackerTrackerTracker Orlee Krass, Tikvah Director

Sometimes the Passover seder can feel a bit long. Here is one activity that will engage children and help make

the seder educational for every type of learner. In the Matan Seder Tracker, children add each step of the seder

as it is completed. It can be printed, cut and used with glue or it can be laminated and assembled with velcro

and made into a more permanent and reusable activity.

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SederSederSederSeder BingoBingoBingoBingo

Orlee Krass, Tikvah Director

Passover Bingo is one of our favorite ways to keep kids engaged during the Passover seder. You can give out

sheets of stickers for marking the boxes on the bingo boards. We suggest you make extra copies of the bingo

boards – we usually find that the adults want their own! Click here to find sample Passover boards.

Symbols of FreedomSymbols of FreedomSymbols of FreedomSymbols of Freedom Elana Rivel, Ramah Day Camp Director

Before the seder, collect seemingly random items from around the house and place them in the middle of the

Seder Table. Items can be children’s toys, stuffed animals, random toiletries, other knick-knacks. Ask participants

to take an item with no further instructions. During the maggid section, as we are talking about the Israelites

leaving Egypt, ask everyone to share how their item might have been helpful in their escape from Egypt, or as

they became a free people. (You can also put the items in small brown paper bags and place them at everyone’s

seat. When the time comes, ask them to open them, give them the same question, and give them a moment to

formulate their answers).

Splitting the SeaSplitting the SeaSplitting the SeaSplitting the Sea Rabbi Moshe Schwartz

“To match couples together is as difficult as the splitting of the sea.”

Babylonian Talmud Tractate Sotah 2A (writing about marriage)

Of all the miracles described in the Torah why does the Talmud specifically emphasize the miracle of the splitting

of the sea to capture the message of how challenging it is to find true love?

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One answer may be found in our understanding of the difference between land and sea. Land, adamah, is at the

top of the earth meaning it is exposed and out there for all to know. There is no privacy to our land, no intimacy

and whatever depth there is cannot be known at first glance.

Yam, the sea, on the other hand is hidden beneath the surface of the water. We all know it’s there and we try to

dive deep to get to it. True love requires getting to the depths of a person’s heart to understand them and to

know their essence... much like the deep sea.

The personal journeys made by couples from friendship, to dating, to engagement and to marriage are part of a

larger journey that all of us make as individuals over the course of our lives. This journey parallels the journey of

our Jewish people from alienation to home and from slavery to freedom.

You may wish to discuss these additional questions at your seder as you reflect on the text above:

Do you agree with our Sages who used the miracle of the splitting of the sea as a metaphor for finding true love?

Why or why not?

Think about yourself and/or someone you know.

o What do you know about them on the surface?

o What do you want to get to know about them on a deeper level?

o How will you do this?

o Campers: If this person is a camp friend, how might you go about deepening your friendship

with them at Ramah this summer?

Share a story from the past about a friend or relative that you got to know on a deeper level. What did you

learn? How did it make you feel? How did it change your relationship with that person?

What are the obstacles keeping you from deepening your connection to others? What obstacles are keeping you

from deepening your love to God and to your Judaism?

What moments or experiences from the Pesach seder may help you move those obstacles away?

Counting the PoconCounting the PoconCounting the PoconCounting the PoconOmerOmerOmerOmer!!!! Rabbis Eric Yanoff and Ariella Rosen

Pesach is known as “CHAG He-AVIV – The Festival of Springtime.” But we all know that Ramahniks count down

to CHAG Ha-KAYITZ – The Celebration of Summer!

Think about it: How do we get ready for Pesach?

In the weeks leading up, you: Pack things away… Decide what you need and don’t need…

Go shopping. Lots of shopping… Clean up… Finish up some things and prepare others…

Get excited… Feel liberated. (From school? From Egypt?)

Start singing songs to yourself that you haven’t sung in a year… Count down…

Reconnect with people, family, friends… AND…

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We get ready to re-enact a life-altering journey that you’ve done before, that has great traditions, that re-

affirms who you are.

SOUND FAMILIAR? On the second night of Passover, near the end of the seder, it is traditional to COUNT THE

OMER – seven weeks, from Pesach to Shavuot (the holiday when we celebrate climbing Mt. Sinai to receive the

Torah).

Think about it:

� There are a little more than seven weeks until Shavuot. – 51 days, including Shavuot. There are 54 days

of camp. (Pretty close – seven weeks and a little.) There is, essentially, “ONE CAMP” length of time until

Shavuot.

� At camp, we take time to reflect: Will each day count? When you look over a week, how much will you

grow?

� If you can do this at camp, can you do it for a 7+ week period now until Shavuot? How can you make

each day count? What are the highlights along the way – Yom Yisrael (Yom ha-Atzma’ut, Israel

Independence Day, is May 2)… Yom Sport (Lag ba-Omer, May 14) - ?

� Then, after Shavuot, there are three weeks – and it’s actually CAMP.

� During the Omer, we “count UP” (not down) – so don’t be sad it’s over… be excited it’s going to

HAPPEN!!!!

SO: It’s time to COUNT THE POCONOMER!

Start counting…. From the second seder (first night of Omer), there are

Shiv’im v’achat yom, she-hem asarah shavuot v’yom echad la-Machaneh. – 71 Days, or 10 weeks and one day

until we “CHOZRIM ha-BAY’TAH!!”

See the next page for an Omer and PoconOmer Counting calendar!...

Can’t wait to see you- Rabbis Eric Yanoff and Ariella Rosen, Adath Israel

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