This article appears in the current Simi Valley, Calif., Acorn newspaper. The featured school is affiliated with the Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley, John McIntosh, pastor. This is an excerpt–to read the entire article, click here.
Teacher brings Seder to the classroom
AGE-OLD TRADITION—Above, Grace Brethren Elementary School teacher Betty Jones, center, shares the “wine” (grape juice in this case) and traditional foods with her thirdgrade students during a Passover Seder in her class on Tuesday. The Seder is a Jewish ceremonial meal involving eating symbolic foods and reciting the Passover story. ( Photo by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers)
Betty Jones’ third-grade students don’t eat matzo for lunch everyday, but Tuesday, the teacher at Grace Brethren, a private Christian school in Simi Valley, introduced them to a traditional Passover Seder with all the fixings.
As unleavened bread, Haroset (apples and cinnamon) and wine (Welch’s grape juice) sat on their desks, Jones shared the story of the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt.
Jones has been observing Seder with her kids for the last six years, except when it falls during Spring Break.
“To me, Jewish heritage and Passover, it all points to Easter,” Jones said. “I totally understand the Jews of Israel don’t believe the messiah has come yet, but as Christians, we do. The two are so closely related to each other, and the stories are so important, I like to teach this to children.”