![Resources for Teaching about Passover in Israel](https://israeled.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/mimouna.jpeg)
Here is a list of resources for learning about Passover in Israel. For each of the related topics, we are providing ideas for activities and distance learning opportunities, with the supporting links. We hope you will find fun and meaningful ways of celebrating Israel and Passover, and please let us know if these sparked additional ideas and online engagements with your students!
Mimouna: As you watch the videos below and read the articles, consider the importance of customs and practices that are not in the Torah. How is Israel’s history a part of its present and future? What customs and practices are unique to your family during this time and how do they connect you to the Jewish people and to Israel? Can you come up with a fun and unique way to celebrate the end of Passover? What would this celebration include that would be meaningful to you and your community? Explain the different customs and foods you would include and why.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdceLb48x-c: 2-minute video describing the history of the Mimouna tradition at the end of Passover
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXnJwl89RR4: Short news segment exploring the Moroccan Mimouna festival in Israel, and how it has spread into mainstream Israeli culture.
- https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/maimouna-a-post-passover-celebration/: My Jewish Learning explanation of the history of the Mimouna
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-end-of-passover-israelis-celebrate-mimouna/: News article from 2017 describing the importance of politicians attending the Mimouna
Fun & Light-Hearted Articles: Read one or two articles, and then write your own article of 5 things you didn’t know about Passover in your home town.
- https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/israel/articles/11-things-you-never-knew-about-passover-in-israel/: 12 Things You May Not Know About Passover In Israel
- https://www.israel21c.org/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-passover/: Cute Israel 21c article: top 10 things you didn’t know about Passover in Israel.
- https://jewishinsandiego.org/jewish-community-news/12-things-you-may-not-know-about-passover-in-israel: Some more fun facts about Passover in Israel
Cuisine/Recipes: Explore Israel as an immigration country and a multicultural society through the foods of the holiday. Post videos of yourself preparing food and trying new items this year.
- https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/three-delicious-passover-menus-1.5432447: Collection of Passover recipes divided into ethnic background: Mediterranean, Ashkenazi and kitniyot (Sephardi).
- https://jwfoodandwine.com/article/2018/03/29/six-passover-recipes-israel: Passover recipes from six Israeli chefs
Chol Hamoed Pesach Activities: Israelis typically enjoy the opportunity to hike nature trails and experience firsthand the special connection between the people and the land. How can you show your connection to Israel while living outside of it? What do you think will change this year? Are there places of nature by you that you enjoy walking and connecting to nature? When do you feel most spiritual?
- https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Passover-hikes-in-Israel-Hol-Hamoed-Happenings-587273: Some of the best hikes to do on Chol Hamoed Pesach
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/passover-vacationers-fill-beaches-hiking-trails-beyond-capacity/: Only in Israel – hiking trails and beaches overcrowded during Chol Hamoed Pesach.
Biyur Chametz (burning bread before Passover): As you watch these videos, think of safe ways and/or donation opportunities for your family’s chametz. Post a video of yourself to the class site.
- https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4510264,00.html: article about burning chametz on the streets of Jerusalem
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHutPiy9Zv0: video of chametz burning on a street corner in Jerusalem
Kosher for Passover Restaurants in Israel: First, see how many there are! Then, find Kosher for Passover places around you and consider: how does living in a Jewish country where Jews are a majority differ from living abroad as a minority? Do you think being Jewish should involve active effort? Why?
- https://www.totallyjewishtravel.com/kosher_restaurants_passover: List of all the Kosher for Passover restaurants in Israel and the world.
Modern Music: Choose a song to learn well, and sing it for your family this holiday!
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_RmVJLfRoM: Passover-inspired parody to pop songs by The Ein Prat Fountainheads from Midreshet Ein Prat in Israel.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APfli0M1TpE: Another Passover-inspired parody to Israeli pop song “Zahav”. Video in Hebrew.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8q8ptza-fo: Same artist as above. Another Passover-inspired parody to Israeli pop song “Oolai Nedaber”. Video in Hebrew.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lS8gidt9Pc: Same artist. Passover parody to Israeli pop song “Chaverot Shelach” and “Shnei Meshugaim”.
Modern Passover Stories and Perspectives: Read the articles below and consider how Passover is a meaningful celebration for all Jews around the world. What would a video greeting from Israel to Jews around the world this year include? Write the script/film the video and post it to your class site.
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-hope-a-plea-a-promise-at-ethiopian-seder-3000-long-for-the-holy-land/: Article about a seder in 2017 for the Jews remaining in Ethiopia and their longing for aliyah to Israel.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/world/middleeast/in-israel-iraqi-jews-reflect-onbaghdad-heritage.html: Article about Iraqi Jews in Israel. There’s a few great paragraphs in the article about Iraqi Jews celebrating Passover in Israel.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG8_Hyv5X6s: The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs’ Passover greeting to Jews throughout the world (2016).