Since moving with my family to Israel just over three years ago, our
daughter yearns for the day when we give in to her requests to bring a chocolate sandwich to
school for lunch everyday. But my wife and I believe that it is our
job as parents to help children appreciate their individuality and celebrate
the tuna sandwich, malawach, and baguette they eat for
lunch. As part of an organization inspiring dynamic community that
we started here in Zichron Yaakov called Moed, we
launched a project called Siach Chagim
-holiday conversations, for
which we received a BYFI Alumni Venture Fund grant. Siach Chagim proactively seeks out the rich and diverse heritage reflected in modern Israel and together we share, learn, and celebrate with one another. Throughout the year we learn about and share in events marking a diverse array of Jewish cultural traditions. Our community alone reflects an in-gathering from over 22 different countries, each with its own narrative and unique strength to share. Siach Chagim has given us a platform and forum to share and learn from one another. This project has fostered amazing conversations in our community among children and adults alike.
One highlight of mine has been the Sigd. We partnered with the Ethiopian community of our neighboring town to learn about and celebrate the Sigd festival. Having grown up in a household where Jewish ritual was important, the prospect of discovering an entirely new aspect of Jewish life so central to some of my brothers and sisters was intriguing. Hamentashen & Latkes I knew, but Daro bread was something I had never even seen before. . The Sigd closely reflects a ritual recorded in the Book of Nehemia where the Jews who had returned to Israel from Babylon fasted, ascended a mountain to hear a public reading of the Torah reaffirming God, and here's the part that is familiar to the Jewish ritual I know- then the event culminated with eating and dancing.
While many of those who joined me hadn’t heard of the Sigd festival before, it became clear that this was a part of who we are. We are all part of the whole of the Jewish people and we returned to Zichron with a vibrant appreciation of the depth and breadth of the mosaic of our Jewish culture of modern Israel. We gained a deeper appreciation of the fuller Jewish heritage and the depth that each person and community brings to that whole.
Our upcoming events include an evening of Yemenite Matza
baking where we will make and learn about the tradition surrounding the
Yemenite soft pita-like matzot and learn about
Yemenite traditions for Passover as well as about their exodus from Yemen to
Israel. On Yom Ha’atzmaut
we’ve planned a living history round-table of Aliyah
stories from new immigrants of the 1930’s to the 2010’s recalling the
challenges, sharing the joys, and celebrating together.
How to get involved:
If you would like to join any of our community events here in Israel or learn about opportunities to seek out and highlight the unique cultural heritages of the people around you, we’d love to share and help you make it happen wherever you are! Contact me at yair.silverman[at]gmail.com
