Our Los Tweens team was invited by our amiga Jeannette Kaplun of Hispana Global to join her for an annual Passover celebration presented by the Latin American committee of the Miami AJC.
It is a beautiful celebration of liberty and so many traditions that help retrace the history of freedom from slavery of the Jewish people. But more than anything else, it is a celebration of life and enjoying culture and faith with your family and friends. What I truly enjoyed about the experience was sitting at a table of mainly non-Jews who were celebrating the Seder traditions for the very first time and understanding the symbolism behind each step. The members of the AJC Latina American committee were spread throughout the tables and were great ambassadors welcoming so many guests to their celebration.
One part of the program is dedicated to the many who have fought against oppression, racism and slavery including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a special prayer was said for those who continue to fight the hardships of persecution.
And where were the tweens? Right in the midst of the celebration! I enjoyed how the program featured mothers and daughters signing traditional songs together and young children sang many songs solo. That night our own family discussed the meaning of the Seder dinner and my girls are actually attending one this Thursday during their own Holy Week.
My tip- open your own heart and mind to new traditions and learning. As parents, guardians or a special adult in the lives of a tween or teen- we set the example. When you reach outside your comfort zone, you teach them it’s okay to do the same and enjoy new experiences.
Best wishes for a peaceful Passover and Holy Week. Please share your special religious or cultural moments with our Los Tweens team so we continue to expand our own learning and pass that along to our tweensitos.
Joe Braun, Denise Icaza, Jeannette Kaplun, Cristy Clavijo-Kish and Juan Dircie of AJC Latino all enjoy the AJC Passover Luncheon in downtown Miami.
Abrazos,
