Best Ways To Celebrate Passover 2013 With Kids In Chicago
By Sara Lugardo
Passover is a deeply religious holiday for those of the Jewish faith. It is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the Israelites being freed from slavery. The tenth plague is usually the one most remembered since it entailed the death of the first born son in Egypt. It is said that the Israelites were instructed to mark their doors so the spirit of the Lord would pass over their homes and spare their first-born child. The celebration of Passover involves a feast with deep symbolic meaning behind the leavened bread that was left behind, naming it The Festival of Unleavened Bread. Chicago has a diverse culture that includes a number of ways for Jewish families to celebrate this spiritual holiday in a way that even young children can enjoy the meaning behind this important Jewish holiday.
Rohr Chabad Center of Glenview
701 Harlem Ave.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 910-1738
www.chabadofglenview.com
Date: March 25
The motto for Rohr Chabad Center of Glenview is "A Home Where Every Jew Is Welcome." Even Jewish families that aren't members will be welcome at this seder dinner. The first day of Passover, the center will be holding a seder dinner celebration where kids will not only be welcome but will also be part of the festival. The charge for the dinner is $36 per adult and $18 for children. Reservations are required beforehand with the cutoff for reservations being the week before the dinner. Call Rabbi Yishaya Benjaminson for additional information on the celebratory event.
Chabad & F.R.E.E of Niles
9401 Margail Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 296-1770
www.chabadandfree.com
Date: March 25 and March 26
The seder dinner for the first two nights of the holiday has an open-door policy. Chabad & F.R.E.E. welcomes Jews and non-Jews alike and states that any and all who do not have a place to eat are welcome. Although there is no set fee for entry, there is a suggested donation for whatever you might spend if you were to dine out at a restaurant. Chabad & F.R.E.E. of Niles has hosted a Passover dinner for 25 years. For additional information, contact Rabbi Hershkovich at the number listed above.
Rosenblum's World of Judaica, Inc.
9153 Gross Point Road
Skokie, IL 60077
(773) 262-1700
www.alljudaica.com
Date: March 25 through April 2
While children are integral to the story of Passover, it can sometimes be difficult to teach the concept behind the story of Exodus to small children. During this eight-day celebration, it can be a good idea to introduce the different aspects of the holiday to small children in a non-threatening way. This is a book store that specializes in quality Judaica and books with a huge selection devoted to child friendly stories about Passover. Whether it's the "All About Passover" book to help give them a better understanding or "Matzah Meals: A Passover Cookbook for Kids," choosing a book for your Passover celebration can be a great way to spend one of the nights of Passover together as a family at home.
Mity Nice
Water Tower Place
835 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 335-4745
www.mitynicechicago.com
Mity Nice will be holding its annual family-style Passover dinner again this year. While final details regarding the event have yet to be released, the event will be almost identical to last year's Passover seder dinner. The menu will consist of house-made matzo, chopped liver, gefilte fish with horseradish and carrots and matzo ball soup, sweet-and-sour beef brisket, herb-roasted chicken, garlic-crusted whitefish, potato pancakes and carrot tzimmes. There will be flourless chocolate cake and toasted coconut macaroons for dessert. Adults will be $36.95 with children 12 and under at $16.95. Reservations are not required but call the week before Passover to make sure of the date.
Center for Jewish Life
Chabad of the Gold Coast/Lincoln Park
1236 N. Dearborn Parkway
Chicago, IL 60610
www.centerforjewishlife.com
Date: March 25 and March 26
The Center for Jewish Life is an outreach organization geared towards Jews but is open for educational services for all different types of people. It will be hosting a seder dinner on the first two nights of Passover, with a family friendly atmosphere. Children will not just partake in the different customs during the dinner, but there will also be songs and activities geared for families and their children. Those looking to join and learn are welcome but the focus will be geared specifically for Jews. The cost is $36 for adults but there are discounts for combined entry for families.
Sara Lugardo is a Korean American who thrives in writing about Asian community news in Chicago. She has a Bachelor's in Communication and is currently working on her Master's. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
