Ke-ilu (as if): An Experiential Educational Dilemma

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 April 2011 07:37 Written by bryfy Wednesday, 13 April 2011 07:36

“Bechol dor va dor hayav adam lirot Et Atzmo Ke-ilu hu yataza mi mitzrayim”

In every generation one is obligated to see oneself as if they personally went out from Egypt.

There are many instances when the participants in the Passover seder are implored to enact aspects of the Passover narrative “ke ilu” (as if) they themselves were part of the original exodus from Egypt…

Actually, as a stand-alone the haggadah text is actually not very experiential – in fact it is fairly didactic in nature – it tells a story, directs the players, and above all else we know how the story turns out. The true experiential learning that can takes place during the seder depends on you…

To find out more about my insights on this portion of the Haggadah and how it relates to experiential Jewish education click here where you will taken to an exciting new website: www.haggadot.com.

In the interests of full disclosure is that Haggadot.com was one of the winners of the inaugural  Jewish New Media Innovation Fund and that I was fortunate enough to be a part of the advisory council – one of my most rewarding professional and personal experiences of late.