Purim Lano, Pesach Ala Mano!

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 Gabe and Miron, 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 supporive synagouge-  is one we hope to explore with our clergy in coming weeks.