Gateways' Tips & Resources for a Meaningful (and Manageable) Passover

Happy Passover from Gateways

Gateways' Tips & Resources for a Meaningful (and Manageable) Passover

April 2011

Dear Friends,

What could be more fun than watching a gazillion croaking frogs hop all over Pharaoh? The songs, the special foods, the drama of our people's escape from Egyptian slavery, finding (or hiding) the afikomen -- not to mention the annual appearance of chocolate covered matzo -- all make Passover one of the most memorable times of the year for our Gateways students.

But, as delightful as the holiday is, lengthy Passover Seders can also put a strain on children, particularly children with special needs, many of whom find sitting in one place for hours especially challenging.

Which is why for this issue of Gateways' e-newsletter, a team of Gateways experts is serving up Seven Strategies of a Successful Seder for ALL Learners. They've been designed specifically to help you transform this year's Seder to a meaningful, memorable (and manageable!) experience for all.

Rebecca uses visual strategies to teach Passover

Teacher Rebecca Redner uses multiple modalities to present Passover to her Gateways students

We also have a Passover treat for you: a selection of user-friendly resources for welcoming those with a wide range of special needs to your Seder table.

During this holiday of freedom, let us renew our personal and communal commitment to freeing the children we love to enjoy and celebrate their birthright: a vibrant, enduring and inspiring Jewish tradition.

Wishing you and yours the sweetest Passover yet,

Arlene

Arlene Remz, Executive Director

Gateways: Access to Jewish Education

Voice at the Gates: Rachel Murphy

Each month, we introduce you to another "Voice at the Gates," someone whose life has been changed by Gateways' innovative programs and services. These include children with special needs in multiple Jewish learning settings across the community, their families and their educators.

Rachel and Torah

Rachel holding the Torah

This year the Murphy family is looking forward to celebrating the Seder in their Milford home. Which will be a huge improvement over last year.

Last year Frank and Elisa, their younger daughter Hannah, a family friend and an on-duty Jewish nurse had Seder on aluminum trays at the nurses' station at Children's Hospital. A few feet away, 11-year-old Rachel was attached to multiple machines all working hard to stabilize her seizures and keep her vitals strong.

Seizures are just one result of a stroke Rachel suffered at 18 months. Brain, muscle and nerve damage also confine Rachel, now 12, to a wheelchair and restrict her speech, movements and eyesight.

But despite her challenges, this is shaping up to be the year when Rachel gets to participate in her family Seder in brand new ways. Thanks to Gateways and Rachel's DynaVox - a computerized device providing dynamic voice output for people with speech and communication impairments.

Click here to continue reading Rachel's story.

Gateways' Seven Strategies for a Successful Seder for All Learners

Pointers for a perfect Passover from Gateways' Special Educators, Therapists & Specialists

Olivia enjoys a snack of matzah and Nutella

1. Preview. Show-and-tell a social story, a customized children's picture book designed to prepare the child for the Seder experience, reducing the chances of being overwhelmed.

2. Pre-feed. Make sure the kids eat before the Seder - preferably a protein and complex carbohydrate, nothing sugary. This will extend their patience (especially since many pre-meal traditions - horseradish, charoset and gefilte fish - are not always kid-pleasers.)

3. Program. Whether in words or pictures -- or both -- the child should have a schedule of the Seder to refer to. That way, even if they can't read the Hagaddah, they enjoy the confidence boost of being able to follow along, alone or with your help. (Click here for Gateways' printer-friendly illustrated Seder schedule)

4. Plant the Feet. Make sure a child's chair allows them to touch the floor (or a steady chair rung) to ensure support, balance and longer sitting tolerance. Try to create 90 degrees at the ankles, knees and hips, for sitting squarely at the table.

5. Prevent. Heavy silverware might prove difficult for children with grip challenges to manage and tall glasses or wine cups are spills waiting to happen. Make sure there's child-sized flat wear and a Passover sippy cup (why not decorate?).

6. Participate. Having an important role, such as carrying the towel around while everyone washes, provides movement breaks and a purpose in what can otherwise seem a grown-up occasion. Another important job: "taking care" of Baby Moses: a doll wrapped in a blanket in a woven basket awaiting rescue from the Nile.

Ten Plagues

7. Plague Play. The ever-popular plagues bag can add fun to any Seder. But fine motor difficulties can make tiny toys frustrating. Check out the plague finger puppets on the market, make your own with old socks or set up a magnetic or Velcro board, with plague symbols the children can attach. (Click here for printer-friendly plague symbols)

Click here for the full menu of Gateways' printer-friendly Passover resources.