For anyone involved in Jewish education, the Passover Story – Haggadah is highly relevant because it is all about practicing the commandment- mitzvah of passing on our tradition from generation to generation. The focus of telling the story of the exodus from Egypt is all about the Jewish education – chinuch of our next generation. Our task is to instil Jewish identity and awareness in our contemporary Jewish youth.

In particular, the portion about the four sons reflects the typical challenges of Jewish education, as they have always existed. The four sons mentioned in the Haggadah are a reflection of the children in any Hebrew school classroom. One child asks out of genuine interest. Another child shows a lack of interest in a provocative way. One student asks because he doesn’t understand. Yet another child simply doesn’t know how to ask.

Our Sages pointed out that the key to educating different types of children is to gather them together at one table or, in this sense, in one classroom. Despite our diversity, it’s through our unity that we are able to meet challenges that none of us could overcome alone. Sitting next to the interested child, the rebellious one is not destined to remain an outsider. The capable child is able to share their talents by assisting others, and in return he learns simplicity. The child who lacks understanding will acquire knowledge. The one who doesn’t yet know how to ask, will learn how to do so. Children draw strength from each other.

However, the most challenging child, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe emphasised, is the “fifth son,” the one who is absent from the seder table entirely. Unlike the four sons in the Haggadah, he does not attend the Passover-Seder and is disconnected from Jewish life and learning institution altogether. Quite often, such a child is growing up in a family far removed from any sense of Jewish identity or awareness. Reaching this child and their family requires tremendous effort. This is a responsibility not only for Jewish learning institutions but for all of us, both at the community level and on a personal level. We are called to reach out and gather these missing children, to bring them to our Seder tables and into our classrooms.

Since its founding in the 19^th century, the Jeschurun School for Jewish Religious Education of the Frankfurt Jewish Community has provided Jewish education to Jewish children and youth who attend general schools. At present, we draw students from 32 different schools in and around Frankfurt. From primary to high school education, our lessons are conducted according to a government-approved curriculum and the grades acquired by our students can be added to their school report card.

However, our primary focus remains on teaching our pupils our texts as a foundation they can draw from for the rest of their lives. As a result, their knowledge will help to strengthen their Jewish identity, pride and values.

Pessach Kasher Ve’Sameach!