Sessions are available on a variety of festivals, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Chanukah, Tu B’Shvat (New Year for trees), Purim and Pesach (Passover)

Find out about the religious and cultural importance of Jewish festivals and use these insights to reflect on the students own experiences of festivals and celebrations

Sample session: Chanukah

Discover the stories of Judah and the Maccabees and the Chanukah Lights, through drama and role play or puppetry

Explore themes such as religious freedom and the symbolism of light

Enjoy the festival fun

•Taste a Chanukah doughnut

•Play a game of Spin the Dreidel

•Light a Chanukiah (Chanukah candelabra)

•Learn a Chanukah song in Hebrew

Sample session: Pesach (Passover)

Discover the story of Passover and the Exodus from Egypt, using drama and puppetry,

Experience the rich symbolism of the Passover meal (Seder), tasting some of the symbolic foods, such as Matzah (unleavened bread) and Bitter Herbs

Explore themes such as slavery and freedom, new beginnings and human rights, both in relation to the Passover story, current affairs and the students’ own experience

A year of festivals:

You may choose to focus on one of a combination of these. It is preferable to teach them close to the season when they are observed, but the choice is yours.

•Rosh HaShanah, Jewish New Year (September-October)

•Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (September-October)

•Sukkot, the festival of ‘booths’ (September-October)

•Chanukah, a festival of light (November- December)

•Tu B’Shvat, New Year for trees (February –Mach)

•Purim, the story of Esther (March)

•Pesach,  Passover (March-April)