A Focus on Peace at Pesach – Jewish Passover Montessori Activity Ideas

Jewish Passover (also called Pesach) is an extremely important holiday in the Jewish faith. Pesach marks the event of Moses leading the children of Israel out of persecution in Egypt in 1313 BCE.

In 2011, Passover will start at sunset on Monday, April 18th and will continue for 7 days until Monday, the 25th of April. Passover offers ample opportunities for Montessori students to explore and learn history, geography, culture, current events, and practical life surrounding cultural celebrations.

This year, you might consider a new activity such as a seder (a precise, ceremonial dinner) of peace!

A Focus on Peace at Pesach – Jewish Passover Montessori Activity Ideas

Although the story of Passover may not appear to be a story of peace, it reminds us that we are the peacemakers of our world today. We can demonstrate tolerance, acceptance and respect for one another through our actions. Creating a seder of peace with your students can be a positive action to this end. Seders are special meals held during Passover, and you can learn more from the link provided below.

Begin a discussion with your Montessori students about peace and brainstorm whom they might know of who needs peace right now. They might think globally with warring nations or other nations in need such as Japan, locally with food banks or other community outreach services, or in their own classroom or school where children can participate in activities around character virtue, grace and courtesy, etc.

Encourage your Montessori students to choose a particular focus for your seder of peace. Your students might collect donations for their cause. They can also give well wishes before their meal. Another possibility is individual or group presentations or storytelling about peace before, during, or after the seder. Special table settings and cutlery may represent the peace theme. When planning the menu, students may choose to go with traditional seder foods such as matzoh, beitzah, and zeroah. Other menu options may include a menu related to the students’ selected peace theme or cause. Perhaps a combination of each would tie the remembrance of Passover with the new peace theme chosen by the students.

Your Montessori classroom can be an inspirational place for children to learn about and from history, and to apply that learning toward a more peaceful world. Enjoy exploring the possibilities with your young citizens!

Previous NAMC blog that offers Montessori student activity ideas for Passover:
Jewish Passover: Connecting Montessori Activities with Cultural Celebrations

Related web information:

• Festival of Freedom

As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Thursday, April 7, 2011.