AY Honors/Jewish Festivals/Answer Key

Jewish Festivals

Skill Level

1

Year

2025

Version

18.09.2025

Approval authority

Australian Union

1

Define what a Jewish festival is. List at least five Jewish festivals mentioned in the Bible and explain their significance. (Examples could include: Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Yom Kippur, Purim.)

Help Pathfinders define what constitutes a Jewish festival: typically, a time set apart in the Jewish calendar for remembrance, celebration, or worship.

Suggested Festivals with Descriptions:

1. Passover (Pesach): Commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, celebrated with a Seder meal involving symbolic foods and storytelling. Matzah (unleavened bread) represents the haste in leaving Egypt.
2. Shavuot: Marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Traditionally, people study scripture all night and eat dairy foods. It is also connected with the harvest.
3. Sukkot: Celebrates God’s provision during the 40 years in the wilderness. Families build temporary booths (sukkahs) and eat meals inside them to remember the Israelites’ journey.
4. Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It involves fasting, prayer, and repentance, reflecting on sins and seeking forgiveness.
5. Purim: A joyful festival based on the Book of Esther. People celebrate with costumes, reading the Megillah (scroll of Esther), and giving gifts to the poor.

Use a chart comparing name, date, biblical reference, traditions, and key symbolism.

2

Research and present (individually or in a group) on one Jewish festival of your choice, including:

• The origin of the festival
• How it is celebrated in different cultures or Jewish communities
• Key symbols or traditions associated with it

Presentation may be verbal, visual, or creative (e.g., slideshow, poster, video, or skit).

Encourage creative presentations—e.g., poster displays, role plays, or cooking demonstrations. Ensure Pathfinders choose different festivals to maximize learning.

Sample Presentation Topics:

• The symbolism of matzah in Passover.
• Lighting the menorah at Hanukkah.
• Building and decorating a sukkah for Sukkot.
• Dressing up and giving gifts during Purim.

3

Interview a Jewish person, rabbi, or scholar about their experience with a Jewish festival. Record their thoughts on:

• The personal or communal meaning of the festival
• How it has been preserved or adapted through history

Alternative option: If an interview is not possible, watch an educational video or documentary on a Jewish festival (e.g., Passover, Hanukkah, Purim). Summarise:

• The key elements of the festival shown in the video
• How the festival is celebrated and its importance in Jewish life

Optional extension: Arrange a visit to a local synagogue, ideally during a Sabbath service or festival celebration (with permission).

Where possible, help Pathfinders make respectful contact with a local Jewish community for interviews. Alternatively, use the following video resources:

Recommended Videos:

• “Passover: Why is this night different?” –
• “What is Hanukkah?” – BimBam –
• “Sukkot: The Jewish Holiday of Booths” –
• “Purim Explained” – Unpacked –

Reflection Questions:

• What is the story or purpose behind this festival?
• How do people celebrate it today?
• What traditions have been passed down or adapted?
• How does it relate to faith and community?

4

Choose one Jewish festival and experience a related activity:

• For Passover (Pesach): Make (or taste) matzah and learn about the Passover Seder
• For Hanukkah: Create a dreidel and learn how to play the game
• For Sukkot: Build a small model or drawing of a sukkah
• For Purim: Make and share Hamantaschen (traditional Purim cookies)
• For another festival of your choice: Create an appropriate hands-on activity

Encourage hands-on engagement:

Passover – Matzah tasting: Buy or make matzah. Serve with grape juice or parsley dipped in saltwater.

Hanukkah – Make a paper dreidel: Supplies: template printed from Scholastic.com, scissors, glue, pencil.

Instructions:

1. Cut out template.
2. Fold on dotted lines and glue flaps to form cube.
3. Add a pencil or straw through the centre.
4. Decorate and play with gelt (chocolate coins or tokens).

Sukkot – Build a model sukkah: Use cardboard, popsicle sticks, leaves, or twigs. Create a roof that can be partially open to the sky. Add decorations like paper fruits.

Purim – Hamantaschen Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 3 cups flour

Jam or prune filling Steps:

1. Mix ingredients, chill dough.
2. Roll out and cut circles.
3. Add a tsp of filling to centre.
4. Fold into triangle and bake at 180°C for 10-12 min.

5

Discuss as a group or write a reflection on how Jewish festivals help preserve faith, heritage, and community connections. This may be shared in a written paragraph, spoken reflection, small group discussion, or creative format (e.g., visual diagram or group mural).

Use this requirement for a circle reflection or journalling. Encourage youth to identify how shared traditions help form strong community identity.

Example Reflection: “I learned that Jewish festivals aren’t just religious events—they’re ways to remember history, share stories, and bring people together. Festivals like Sukkot and Purim include fun, food, and family, but also deep meaning. It made me think about how we as Christians also use traditions to remind us of God’s care and promises.”

6

Explore how Jewish festivals have influenced modern celebrations or broader cultural practices.

• Provide at least two examples of this influence
• Discuss how some traditions have evolved over time (e.g., adaptations in diaspora communities, modern reinterpretations, or influence on Christian holidays).

Examples to explore:

• Passover influencing the Christian Lord’s Supper or Communion.
• Hanukkah themes (light, dedication) echoing in Christmas traditions.
• Purim’s costumes and joyful spirit echoed in festivals like Mardi Gras.

Let Pathfinders create comparison charts or timelines to see how traditions have shifted or spread.

References

• Australian Union Jewish Festivals Honor
• My Jewish Learning (festival summaries and videos)
• Chabad.org (interactive guides and resources)