When they reached the opposite shore, the men, women, and children all sang a song of thanks to G-d, and the birds joined in and chirped along. The children plucked fruits from the trees and fed them to the rejoicing birds.
 
Rabbi Yehuda Lowe, also known as the Maharal of Prague, and esteemed Torah scholar, would customarily gather all the children of his city, with their parents and teachers, on the Shabbat when the Torah portion of Beshalach was read. The children would scatter kasha-buckwheat-- for the birds to eat, as a remembrance for the birds that accompanied the Jews when they crossed the Red Sea. Then, the Maharal would bless them all.
 
Although this was not a mitzvah, a commandment written in the Torah, nor was it a lesson in how to better serve G-d, the Maharal took the time to impress on the little children the importance of tradition, and encourage them to enjoy and take pride in keeping our ancient customs.
 
Today, adults and children alike, still share this tradition that began over 3,000 years ago. Parents help their children put out kasha (or crumbs) on Friday, on the eve of Shabbat this week for the birds to eat, and thereby demonstrate the importance of the rituals and customs that have sustained the Jewish people throughout time, connecting children of today with the children of that era, and solidify their unity with Jews around the world.