Science meets tradition! Third through fifth graders recently viewed the Passover holiday through an unexpected lens—that of scientific discovery. At a collaborative event between 'Good. Great. Greater Hartford.' and the Connecticut Science Center, young participants and their families explored the story of the Exodus using scientific principles such as air dynamics and engineering. This innovative approach brought ancient traditions to life while reinforcing the holiday's enduring values; it also brought together Jewish families from the Greater Hartford area, building friendships and community.
Fifty eager participants gathered in early April for “The Science of Passover,” an event held at West Hartford Town Hall that featured hands-on experiment stations and a culminating demonstration by Connecticut Science Center presenters. At one station, young scientists stacked cups into a pyramid shape, only to topple them with powerful air blasters—a lesson in air currents that led to a discussion of Jewish resilience during Egyptian captivity.
Deepening the metaphorical connection between science and tradition, event emcee Mollie Benoni, who is herself a participant in the ‘Good. Great. Greater Hartford’ program, highlighted the significance behind the experiments. "The word ruach, which we often translate as 'wind' or 'breath,' has a much deeper meaning. It can also mean spirit or mind," she explained. "Just as that wind parted the waters [of the Reed Sea] and made the impossible possible, each of us has within us the power to create miracles in our own communities and around the world."
The Connecticut Science Center presenters also captivated the young audience with a “floating” beach ball that illustrated how objects respond to positive and negative air pressure. The experiment demonstrated the principles governing air pressure and conveyed a powerful metaphor: Just as the beach ball moved between opposing forces, the activity illustrated how people facing adversity—as Israelites did in Egyptian captivity—can journey from oppression to freedom and from negativity to positivity. This combination of discovery, introspection, and fun was not lost on the young people in attendance. “Thanks for organizing this great event,” one parent wrote following the event. “Our kids were talking about wind on the ride home and all the way up to bed time.”
Beyond just a family-friendly activity, the event served a deeper purpose, according to Max Beede, director of the ‘Good. Great. Greater Hartford.’ program. “Our broader goal is to help people connect with their Jewish identity and build community, particularly if they’re new to the area,” he said. “For some, this was their first event in Greater Hartford. Our hope is that they get more involved in the community through the events we offer, as well as the many Jewish agencies we can connect them with.”
If you or someone you know is new to the Greater Hartford area and would like to get more involved with our Jewish community, contact Max Beede at mbeede@jewishhartford.org.