At Schechter, the weeks leading up to Passover are more than just holiday prep—they’re a living, joyful expression of our values, our mission, and our unique approach to learning. Across every grade and classroom, students have been bringing the Haggadah to life, engaging with its themes through creativity, curiosity, and connection.

This is what learning looks like at Schechter: grounded in tradition, inspired by inquiry, and elevated by joy.

Fifth graders explored two Mishna texts about bedikat chametz (the search for leaven) and then brought the text to life with a chametz search of their own in their Kehillah classrooms.

shared Rachael Gray-Raff, 5th & 6th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher.

They also studied the four cups of wine, uncovering how each one reflects a stage in the journey of Yetziat Mitzrayim. With this understanding, students created original “Four Cups Haggadot” to bring new meaning to their family seders.

said Pnina Mazor, 5th & 6th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher.

The energy of Passover is contagious in our classrooms, especially in the Early Childhood Center. Alim is preparing Pesach: The Musical, a full-on retelling of the Exodus story through drama and song. Over in Eitzim, students are running their own matzah factory, kneading and rolling dough as they learn how matzah is made. In Alonim, children are deepening their understanding through storytelling, play, and art.

This joyful, hands-on learning brings the value of Simcha / Celebration to life. As Rabbi Nachman teaches, “It’s a great mitzvah to always be joyful.” At Schechter, we embrace joyful Judaism—celebrating our traditions with heart, music, and movement.

In 1st grade, students dove into the tradition of hiding the afikomen—a highlight of any seder—and brought it to life through art. After learning about its meaning and role in the Passover celebration, they designed and decorated their very own afikomen covers to take home. Each child added personal touches, transforming a classic ritual into a treasured family keepsake.

Over in 2nd grade, students took on a Maker Space-inspired project that merged creativity, tradition, and design thinking. Using custom wooden templates, they crafted personalized seder plates—each one a reflection of their understanding of the holiday’s symbolic foods and themes. It was a hands-on, hearts-on experience that connected text to table in the most beautiful way.

And because food is such an important part of Jewish tradition, our second graders are also curating a class-wide Pesach cookbook! Each student submitted a favorite family recipe, and we can’t wait to see (and maybe even taste!) the delicious customs that make their seders special.

Our kindergarten students are decorating their own Haggadot, filling each page with vibrant stickers, colors, and love. In 3rd grade, students are exploring the Arba’at HaBanim—the Four Children—asking deep questions and interpreting what each child might represent.

These moments affirm our belief in B’tzelem Elohim, that every child is created in the image of God. At Schechter, we see the worth and wisdom of each learner, and we create space for every voice, every question, and every creative expression to be valued.

Our all-school celebration, Pesach Around the World, was a shining example of our value of Kehillah / Community. Students journeyed through interactive stations highlighting global Passover traditions:

By experiencing the diversity of Jewish life around the world, students gained a richer, deeper appreciation for their own place in a global Jewish story. It’s learning rooted in identity and inclusivity.

Passover is a time of reflection, freedom, and responsibility—a core theme at Schechter. As students learned about the Four Cups, the mitzvot of the seder, and the journey from slavery to freedom, they also explored how each step of the seder is a call to action. Their original “Four Cups Haggadot” are not just personal reflections—they’re tools to bring new meaning to their family tables.

Through this, students live out the value of Achrayut / Responsibility, learning that our history asks something of us: to care for others, to pursue justice, and to carry the story forward.

Schechter’s integrated curriculum—blending rigorous text study with hands-on projects and creative exploration—is a living example of our commitment to Dugma / Exemplary Education. Whether it’s creating a play, writing commentary, or baking matzah from scratch, students engage in meaningful, multi-sensory learning that brings Jewish tradition into conversation with 21st-century thinking.

Each moment is intentional. Each moment is filled with purpose.

At Schechter, we believe that Jewish learning should ignite the soul. That the Haggadah is not just a book we open once a year—but a blueprint for lifelong growth, community, and reflection.

From our youngest learners in the Ginsburg ECC to our 8th graders, Passover is more than a holiday—it’s an opportunity to embody our values and grow as engaged Jewish citizens.

As we enter the holiday, we are proud of the ways our students are using their knowledge, skills, and creativity to enrich their families’ seders—and the world beyond.