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      Celebrating Pesach in Britain today

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how and why some Jews have adapted the Seder meal.

      Key learning points

      1. According to data, the majority of British Jews have a Seder meal.
      2. Many secular Jews also have a Seder meal.
      3. Some Jews have adapted the Seder for a vegan and vegetarian diet.
      4. Some Jews have adapted the Seder to better represent female Jewish voices.

      Keywords

      • Data - information or facts we collect to help us understand something better

      • Pesach - a Jewish festival that happens every spring. It remembers the time when the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt

      • Seder - a special meal Jews eat during Pesach

      • Adapted - changed or made different to fit new needs or ideas

      Common misconception

      Only men take part in the Seder and that women don’t have a role.

      Women are an important part of the Seder. Some families even change the Seder to include stories and voices of women, so everyone feels included.

      Teacher tip

      Bring in real Seder foods for pupils to see and touch. While exploring the foods, tell stories about how each one helps people remember working together and overcoming challenges. Invite guest speakers, from different traditions, to share their experiences of a Seder meal and what it means to them.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Who led the Hebrews out of Egypt?

      Abraham
      David
      Correct answer: Moses

      Q2.
      The Seder holds symbolic foods to tell the Exodus story.

      Correct Answer: plate, Plate

      Q3.
      Why is the Seder meal important to Jewish families today?

      Correct answer: It helps remember the journey from slavery to freedom.
      It’s just a fun tradition.
      It celebrates a famous Jewish king.

      Q4.
      What does matzah represent at the Seder meal?

      the first food eaten in the Promised Land
      Correct answer: the bread made in a hurry during the Exodus
      the bread eaten by Pharoah

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      According to the data, % of Jews had a Seder meal at Pesach.

      Correct Answer: 71, seventy-one, seventy one

      Q2.
      Why do some Jews adapt the Seder meal?

      to make it more colourful
      Correct answer: to suit dietary needs and include more voices
      to make it shorter

      Q3.
      Miriam was Moses’ who helped lead the people to freedom.

      Correct Answer: sister, Sister

      Q4.
      Only men take part in the Seder and women don’t have a role.

      True – only men are allowed to lead Seder meals.
      False – Seder meals only happen in synagogues.
      Correct answer: False – women and girls also help lead and are remembered.

      To help you plan your 3 religious education lesson on: Celebrating Pesach in Britain today, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...