OMSK, Russia - Arrangements for Passover are in full swing in the west Siberian city of Omsk. At the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School, students prepared Passover plates and even baked Matzah Shmura together with their parents. Following in a tradition that has already been established over the past five years, local Jews were able to bake Matzah by hand at a Model Matzah Bakery that is being operated in lead-up to the holiday.
Despite the number of years it has been running, amongst the participants were many — children and adults alike — who took part in this process for the first time ever. Set up in the cafeteria of the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School, the event was particularly memorable for the youngsters, who also received posters highlighting Passover.
Two groups were established, each of them taking turns in their tasks — preparing the dough and formations by hand and actually baking the Matzah. The day's festivities were combined with other fun events incuding a knowledge-testing quiz on the history and traditions of Passover, games led by the Jewish Youth Club, and a concert featuring acrobats and clowns.
Surrounded by walls of decorations and thematic posters, many of the adults noted the remarkable difference from their day in the possibilities for developing children's Jewish self-identity. Organized by Rachel Krichevsky and student teachers visiting from Kfar Chabad, this celebration allowed community members to feel they belonged to one big Jewish people.
The Ohr Avner Chabad Day School is supported by the Ohr Avner Foundation, which is underwritten by internationally-renowned philanthropists Lev and Olga Leviev.
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