What were you doing this Sunday? Relaxing with a book or taking care of household chores? For the participants of the Jewish Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, it was Pesach! And not just a meeting, but a real family celebration – a model Passover Seder organized for the program’s mentees and their families.
On this day, all generations came together – children, parents, grandparents. Everyone became a part of a large and warm Jewish family.
The Model Seder is not just a format. It is a symbolic experience of one of the deepest holidays of the year – the holiday of freedom, self-awareness, and fidelity to traditions. This is exactly what the organizers aimed to convey to the children. Now they know for sure what happens and why at the Seder table – as they have gone through the entire journey of the Passover evening together with their loved ones.
The program leaders, volunteers, and senior participants helped the guests feel the festive atmosphere: they explained the significance of each symbol on the table, shared interesting facts, conducted interactive elements, and gave everyone the opportunity to participate.
The parents were not just spectators – each had their own role and contribution. The evening concluded with a delicious kosher meal, filled with laughter, kind words, and wishes of peace and joy.
Festive attire, bright smiles, and sparkling eyes all created a special, elevated atmosphere. Most importantly, there was a sense of confidence that traditions are alive, as they are learned, passed down, and celebrated.
“Especially touching was the fact that among the guests were children who experienced a Seder for the first time in their lives. Now, it is not just a story from the pages of a book – it is their personal experience, their memory, a part of their Jewish identity,” says Tatiana Kaplan, the director of the Jewish Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.
The organizers believe that this was not the last Seder in the lives of these children. They left with new knowledge, vivid impressions, and an understanding that being Jewish is a value and a heritage that is worth cherishing.
Ahead lie new meetings, even more events, and celebrations.
The Jewish Big Brothers, Big Sisters program thanks the Jewish communities of Dnipro and Boston for their support, as well as Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.
