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Passover Resources

Browse and download Passover resources for kids with diverse learning needs, prepared by Gateways’ experienced special education teachers.

The Gateways Haggadah

A Seder for the Whole Family

cover of the Gateways Haggadah

The Gateways Haggadah welcomes families with children of all abilities and disabilities to a Passover celebration that is accessible for the whole family. Step-by-step directions for every element of the Passover Seder are clearly illustrated with more than 70 vibrant photographs. Each prayer’s meaning is illuminated by the use of over 150 picture communication symbols developed by Mayer-Johnson,™ the leading creator of symbol-adapted special education materials to assist individuals in overcoming their speech, language, and learning challenges. In this way, Seder participants can experience Passover through clear, direct language and through rich and varied images.

This easy-to-hold, concise Haggadah is respectful to all participants, whatever their abilities, and ensures that all can take part meaningfully in a complete Passover Seder that lasts about 30 minutes.

Explore the Haggadah

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Accessible Versions of the Passover Story

Passover Story

drawing of a seder plate

The Passover story presented in simple, kid-friendly language, with illustrations.

Passover Story in Symbols

The Passover story presented in simple, kid-friendly language with clear visual supports.

Passover Story in Symbols (Abridged)

The abridged Passover story presented in simple, kid-friendly language with clear visual supports.

Seder Supports

Passover Activity Placemat

Print this double sided and laminate (or cover in clear packaging tape) for a fun activity that will keep your children engaged during your Seder.

image symbol of a person reading

7 Strategies for a Successful Seder

Use these tips to make your Seder enjoyable and accessible for all children.

image symbol of matzah

Order of the Seder

Visual representation of the order of the Seder. Knowing what’s going on, what’s next, how much longer, and when their favorite parts of the Seder are coming up can help fidgety children attend to the Seder longer.

image symbol of grape juice

10 Plagues Visual Support

This resources has symbols to represent each of the ten plagues, with the name of the plague in English and in Hebrew transliteration.

image symbol of a frog

Seder Blessings with Visual Supports

Blessings for the Seder in Hebrew transliteration and English translation with picture symbols.

Kadesh

image symbol of grape juice

Karpas

image symbol for blessing over karpas

Rachtzah

image symbol for blessing over washing hands

Motzi Matzah

image symbol of matzah

Maror

image symbol for blessing over maror

Passover Songs with Visual Supports

The 4 Questions (Mah Nishtanah)

The Four Questions in Hebrew transliteration and simple picture symbols.

Chad Gadya

The traditional Passover song written in easy-to-follow Hebrew transliteration presented with simple picture symbols.

image symbols for chad gadya

Echad Mi Yodea

The traditional Passover song written in easy-to-follow Hebrew transliteration presented with simple picture symbols.

Who Knows One (Echad Mi Yodea in English)

The traditional Passover song written in English and presented with simple picture symbols.

Passover Activities

File folder activities are puzzles contained in file folders that are quick and easy to make. They can help children review ideas and familiarize them with Jewish objects. Since file folder activities are inexpensive and relatively easy to make, you can accumulate a large stack of them in no time! The visual nature of file folder activities takes advantage of the visual strengths of children with autism and many other developmental disabilities.

Guide to File Folder Activities

Sort Bread and Matzah

In this activity, students will sort images of bread and matzah into two categories. This will help to reinforce the idea that bread and matzah are different, and that we do not eat any type of bread during Passover; instead, we eat matzah. This activity could be used to help prepare a child for the removal of chametz (bread products not kosher for Passover) from their home.

Ten Plagues Puzzle

Students gain familiarity with the ten plagues as they match images representing the plagues with their outlines.

Passover Story Puzzle

Students put together a puzzle to put the events of the Passover story in the correct sequence. This activity helps familiarize children with the Passover story.

Sequencing the Order of the Seder

In this activity, students match colored borders to sequence the order of the seder. This activity is slightly more advanced than matching symbol-to-symbol, as the visual cues are less obvious. Simple picture symbols represent each step of the seder, with the name for each step presented in Hebrew transliteration and English translation.

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Categories: Featured Resources, Jewish Holiday Resources for Educators, Jewish Holiday Resources for Families