For most of our 6th Gade families, our understanding of what it means to be Jewish is one that is Ashkenormative. When we think of Jewishness, we often think of the foods of Eastern Europe, of Chasidim with black coats and hats, Hebrew tinged with the letter " ת " read as an "S", and Yiddish words and accents. For most of us, this is the default mode by which we exp But for much of the Jewish world, Jewishness is anchored in the foods of Spain, Greece, or Turkey, and the langauge of Ladino. Ladino, Gabe pointed out to our students, is a compound language like Yiddish, but its roots are in medival Spanish and Hebrew. The great Flory Jagoda sings the perfect Ladino song for this time of year: Pesach Ala Mano- Passover is at Hand!
Pesah ala Mano
Flory Jagoda
Purim, Purim, Purim lano,
Pesah, Pesah ala mano;
Las matsas si stan faziendo,
Los japrakis si stan koziendo.
Aman (4x) Il Diyo Bendicho mos da mazal (repeat)
Purim, Purim, Purim lano,
Pesah, Pesah ala mano;
La Nona sta diziendo a los nyetos,
Alimpiya il puelvo, kantones i loz techos.
Aman…
Purim, Purim, Purim lano,
Pesah, Pesah ala mano;
Il Sinyor Rubi disho a las tiyas
No kumer il pan ocho diyas.
Aman…
Purim, Purim, Purim is over,
Passover is at hand;
Matzot are being made,
The stuffed grape leaves are being baked.
Amen (4x)
Almighty God give us good fortune.
Purim, Purim, Purim is over,
Passover is at hand;
The grandmother is telling the grandchildren,
Clean the dust, the corners and ceilings.
Aman…
Purim, Purim, Purim is over,
Passover is at hand;
The Rabbi tells the aunties
Not to eat bread for eight days.
Aman…
Some parents may hear that and think "well, that does encapsulate a moment of what it is like to be between Purim and Pesach, but does it really speak musically to today's students?" Which is why we shared this excellent, dynamic remix of the song to share with them (listen to this one with headphones or you will miss out on the full effect).
In addition to our exploring Ladino and reviewing the 10 plauges mentioned in the Seder, we also did a bit of shopping! Not actual shopping, but as part of the second part of our unit on the Tallit, we had students search for Tallitot in a host of their favorite colors, and they found them! The incredible variety of colors and styles of Tallitot aviable today helped us realize that there is a style of Tallit out there for everyone, and in our synagouge, we encourage people of all genders to wear a tallit during prayer. Why many Jews, especially women, still feel it difficult to connect to this essential Jewish prayer practice- even in our welcoming and supportive synagouge- is one we hope to explore with our clergy in coming weeks.
In the shadow of Operation Roaring Lion and in light of the security situation, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation held this morning (Sun.), as it does each year ahead of Passover, the traditional removal of prayer notes from between the stones of the Western Wall - removing tens of thousands of prayer notes that were placed between the stones over the past six months, before their transfer for geniza (designated burial).
The removal was accompanied by the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, who together offered a special prayer for the success of the campaign against Israel’s enemies, most notably Iran; for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces fighting on the various fronts - in the air, at sea, and on land; for the well-being of United States soldiers standing alongside the State of Israel in its defense and in confronting the threats; and for the peace and security of the people of Israel and the State of Israel.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation: "In these days, when the people of Israel are facing challenges and seeking heavenly mercy, we see how thousands of prayers continue to arrive at the Western Wall from across Israel and around the world. Alongside prayers for peace in the State of Israel, for the safety of the soldiers, and for the salvation of the entire nation, prayers also arrive from many places and countries, including from citizens of hostile states who seek peace among nations and countries. We also pray for the well-being of United States soldiers standing alongside the State of Israel in confronting the threats, and we long for days of peace, security, and fraternity among all peoples."
The removal was carried out in accordance with halachic guidelines, using gloves and disposable wooden tools, in order to preserve the sanctity of the site and the personal content of the notes. The notes were collected in special sacks and will be buried in a designated geniza.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation notes that hundreds of notes are sent daily through the foundation’s website, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of notes that are placed personally by worshippers and visitors at the Western Wall throughout the year.
What stood out this year in an exceptional way were notes sent through the foundation’s website by citizens from countries hostile to Israel, including: Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Qatar, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sudan, Jordan, Egypt, Kazakhstan and others containing moving requests for peace, reconciliation, and the building of relationships between peoples and nations.
