Download GLOBALIZATION THEMED HAVDALLAH Jewish history is in a way

GLOBALIZATION THEMED HAVDALLAH
Jewish history is in a way, a story of exile. We were exiled from our homeland,
Israel, nearly 2000 years ago.Over time the Jewish people have adapted,
spreading out across the globe and creating smaller individual Jewish
communities.
Havdallah literally means separation, the separation between holy and secular, the special and
the mundane. As the Jewish people have expanded to all four corners of the world, and create
holiness in their own communities. This Havdallah we will celebrate the differences in Judaism
around the world, and the ways different communities achieve their own kedushah, or holiness.
Please pause in between each prayer.
Begin singing the blessing for wine. “borei pri hagafen”
Curacao is a Carribean island off the Venezuelan coast. After the Spanish Inquisition, Jews fled
to Curacao. They created a Sephardic community that practiced traditional, more observant
Judaism. However, in the middle of the nineteenth century, these rituals were questioned by a
faction in the community that wanted to introduce liberal and more modern rituals. In 1864, a third
of the Jewish population created a Reform congregation. However, all the Jewish population,
regardless of belief, formed a tight knit community with their own unique customs. On Tisha B'Av,
an annual fast day in Judaism that commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second
Temples, the Rabbi wore a black tallit, black shoes and used a black yad. Another unique custom
from the Caribbean community is the practice of throwing the wine glass at a platter at the
wedding ceremony, thereby leaving a permanent mark on the platter.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, the Jews of Curaçao became politically involved with Simon
Bolivar and his fight for the independence of Venezuela and Colombia from their Spanish
colonizers. The Jews of Curacao were well known for their helping hand in the community.
Today, only 350 Jews live in Curacao, but we must not forget the beautiful community they
created when they were driven out of their homeland.
Sing blessing for spices “borei, minei bsamim”
The history of Jews in Italy goes back thousands of years. The Roman Jewish community is the
longest standing Jewish community in the world. Jews first moved there when they were forced
into slavery and since then have created their own unique customs and tunes that are different
than Sephardic and Ashkenazi. Italian Jews have seen both Golden Ages and ghettos. They
have built many grand and gorgeous synagogues in Rome, Florence, and Venice.
The Jews of Rome have their own trope tune for reading Torah. The ancient way of Jewish Italian
artichoke cooking, which involves frying the artichokes, still exists today. During the blessing of
the priests many Italians huddle together and put their hands on each other’s heads so as to
spread the blessing to their friends and family. A kosher bakery still exists in the Jewish quarter of
Rome that bakes recipes from the Middle Ages. The Jews of Italy are deeply entrenched in their
ancient tradition and strive to keep it alive.
Sing blessing for the fire “borei me’oreh haesh”
Before the founding of Israel in 1948 nearly 300,000 Jews lived in Morocco. Their culture is a mix
of Arabic, French, Spanish, and Jewish. Morocco is where Sephardic Judaism flourished. They
are a very celebratory group! Moroccan Jews have Henna parties before weddings, bat mitzvahs,
and baby showers.
During pre-wedding Henna parties, the oldest member of the family (often the grandmother)
smudges henna in the palm of the bride and groom to symbolically bestow the new couple with
good health, fertility, wisdom, and security. The henna is believed in Moroccan tradition to protect
the couple from demons. They have unique, very colorful dresses that women wear called
kaftans. They also celebrate, Mimouna, which is a giant party the night Passover ends. Although
only 7,000 Jews live in Morocco today many Moroccan Jews have brought their traditions to
Israel and America and have tremendous pride in their heritage.
Sing final blessings and songs “hamavdil bein kodesh lchol”
Does anyone have any unique Jewish roots or traditions they would like to share with the group?
*Take volunteers*
Judaism has evolved to become a worldwide community. Curacao, Italy, and Morocco are just a
few examples of the unique Jewish communities that formed because of a love for Judaism and
community. All the different ways Judaism is practiced throughout the world make up the colorful
tapestry that Judaism is today. With BBYO in 19 countries today, we have the opportunity to
connect with Jewish teens in these other communities, share our customs, and strengthen
individual Jewish communities, as well as the global one. Shavua Tov!