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Yeshiva University’s 2023 Passover Haggadah: A Free Guide for Multi-Generational Sacred Storytelling

Yeshiva University’s 2023 Passover Haggadah: A Free Guide for Multi-Generational Sacred Storytelling
According to Rona Novick, Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Studies, “At Passover, everyone becomes a teacher and a participant in not only the telling, but the feeling of the story of the Jewish people. The ultimate goal is to educate and inspire the next generation of Jewish people in understanding and celebrating the true blessing of freedom.”

This year, Passover begins on April 5th marking a celebration of freedom commemorating the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Exodus story of the Bible. It is also a time of “teaching” in the form of a Haggadah or guide, when everyone gathers around a Seder table and becomes a sacred storyteller. The Haggadah is used for telling the Exodus story each year, as is commanded in the Bible.

Given that multi-generations within the same family from very young children to seniors are often present, YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at published its fourth Haggadah companion, entitled “On This Night We Are All Teachers” to bring age-appropriate exercises and games that can help relay the Passover story to everyone.

For preschoolers, the 2023 Haggadah asks the child to imagine what it is like to be a slave and engage in various activities, such as Race to Freedom in which they are told to quickly collect 5 items that they would take if they had to leave quickly.  They are then asked to explain why they choose the items they choose and understand that freedom requires moving quickly and choosing wisely.

Elementary school children are told they are going to make a difference by caring for others and making the world a better place.  In this activity, children are asked how they would care for others by paying attention to their feelings and needs.

Teens are asked to consider a family story, such as their grandparents coming to America, how their parents met or a family trip.   They are then asked to reflect on how the telling of that story may relate to the stories in the Haggadah.

For adult learners, the story is about Personalization and Redemption. Every generation has a responsibility for seeing themselves as if they had left Egypt. Egypt was only the beginning and the Jewish people continue to be guided each day through their faith and religion.

“Inspiring young minds through the telling of the Pesach story, and the miraculous story of the Jewish people is life-affirming,” continues Dean Novick.  “Our modern world may seem filled with pain and suffering; it may, at times, seem to mirror the struggles experienced in Egypt. But as we continue the Jewish story beyond today; we celebrate the true blessing of freedom.”

The 2023 Haggadah entitled: On This Night we are All Teachers, can be downloaded free Here.  For more information visit Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education & Administration | Yeshiva University (yu.edu).

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