March 18, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  

AREA CENTER OFFERS
INTERACTIVE PASSOVER MUSEUM

The Family Passover Experience Offers Experiential Learning

 

 

The area’s “Center for Jewish Life” is hoping local families don't "pass over" a chance to attend its "Family Passover Experience".

 

The free event is open to parents and children of all ages between 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at The Jewish Discovery Center, 7587 Central Parke Blvd. Guided tours will be at 10:45 am, 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

 

Rabbi Yosef Kalmanson, executive director for the center, said Passover is the celebration of freedom as the Jewish nation was liberated from Egyptian slavery over 3,300 years ago.

 

"In modern society, we are often subjugated to our basic instincts, habits and inclinations," Kalmanson said. "The Passover traditions help us become truly free by overcoming our egotistical inclinations and becoming master of our actions."

 

This marks the first year the center is offering such a program, said Chany Turner, the center's program coordinator.

 

The Family Passover Experience is a walk-thru exhibit and interactive museum, rather than a sit down hour-long program, she said.

 

The interactive exhibits will offer an experience of the 10 plagues and assorted hands-on activities allowing participants to feel and sense the history and traditions come alive, rather than simply hear about. 

 

"They'll get to see, feel, hear and interact with the different parts of the Passover story, for true experiential learning," Turner said.

 

The center, which serves the entire Jewish community in Butler, Warren and northern Hamilton counties, has rolled out a host of additional programming to capture the essence of the holiday. Their popular pre-holiday crash course will cover the basics of Passover and meaning behind its traditions (Apr. 6); a “Climb Higher” Class will share insights into the true definition of freedom according to ancient traditions (Apr. 6); a “Sun Blessing” Ceremony marks the once-in-28-year opportunity to witness the sun reverting its course to the place it began at the time of creation (Apr. 8); the area’s only “Burn your Bread” ceremony offers an opportunity to rid the Chametz leaven from one’s possession (Apr. 8); their annual Communal Family Seder, features an interactive atmosphere, integrated with Chassidic tale, song and humor and a catered full course traditional meal (Apr. 9); and the Passover Bowl, will bring Jewish families together to celebrate in a fun environment (Apr. 12).

 

The entire community is welcome to attend these events.

 

For more information or to receive a Passover ‘How-To Guide,’ call 513.234.0777 or email [email protected].

 

To learn more about Passover, the Holiday of Freedom, and local events to celebrate the holiday, visit JDiscovery.com.