In Your Skin is Single Parent Magazine’s column for kids of all ages. Sierra and Milan get a chance to be “in the skin“ of another kid, athlete, musician, celebrity by living their life as they do. Sierra and Milan have to do everything that their “subject” does on a regular basis. Its gives them and other kids a chance to learn about another persons’ culture, traditions, lifestyle and appreciate the worlds’ diversity. Join them in their discovery of other people, other lives and other commitments. So get ready to be “In Their Skin” because they jumped out and Sierra and Milan jumped in.
Let My People Go
Rachel Whitlock, a Jewish, high school student, classmate and friend of Sierra’s welcomed Sierra and Milan into her skin during the granddaddy of all Jewish traditions, Passover. One evening during Passover, Sierra, Michelle and Milan were invited to the Jewish Passover Sedar at the home of Rachel’s great aunt and uncle.
We arrived in the evening and were welcomed by Rachel’s mother, Denise Whitlock who introduced us to the rest of the family and guests. Everyone there was warm, inviting and the home held over 35 people. The whole house was buzzing with excitement. Children were playing, tweens and teenagers talking along with texting Adults were greeting one another, bustling about the house helping to set the table and finishing up food preparations so we could begin the Sedar ceremony.
Everyone was seated at a long table that (reminded the Linzy’s of our table at Thanksgiving and Christmas) and ready to begin.
Sierra: Rachel, what is Passover for the Jewish community?
Rachel: Passover is the celebration of the exodus from Egypt. It lasts 8 days and Jews are forbidden to eat leavened food during this time.
Sierra: What does Sedar mean?
Rachel: Sedar means order and represents the order of how things happened in Egypt.
Sierra: What is traditional food eaten during the Sedar ceremony?
Rachel: The traditional food that is eaten has to be kosher and includes Matzah, Matzah ball soup, chicken and turkey.
Sierra: What does Kosher mean?
Rachel: Kosher means clean and is based on the Rabbi’s determination of what food is clean.
Sierra: Why did we cover the counters and stove burners at your house?
Rachel: Because the counters and stove burners are not kosher and the foil makes it kosher.
Sierra: What foods are included on the Sedar plate and what do they symbolize?
Rachel: Horseradish – bitterness Parsley – spring (dipped in salt water which symbolizes 
tears.)Lettuce – spring Egg – spring and offering done in temple on holidays Shankbone – symbolic of sacrifice
Sierra: Why is no bread allowed?
Rachel: No bread is allowed because when the Israelites fled Egypt, their bread did not have time to rise.
Sierra: What is the name of book we used during the Sedar and what is it and why did we use it?
Rachel: The name of the book is Haggadan. The Jewish follow this book for the Sedar ceremony on the first two days of Passover. It includes songs and explanations for everything.
Sierra: What is the name of one of the songs we were singing and what does it mean?
Rachel: One song is Diyenu; which is a proclamation of the sufficiency of God’s miracles in the exodus.
Rachel, thank you so much for letting me be “in your skin” during this time. I guess it is time for me to jump out of your skin and for you to jump back in.
Sierra and Milan Linzy
Single Parent Magazine would like to thank the Whitlock family for allowing us to come into their home, the home of their relatives and sharing Passover with them. We appreciate the time you took to explain everything and allowing us to take part in all aspects of this ceremony. Your hospitality was amazing and we love you.
Michelle Linzy,
Editorial Director
If you would like to be the “subject” of In Your Skin with Sierra and Milan Linzy and think your life is interesting, write to :
In Your Skin with Sierra and Milan Linzy
Single Parent Magazine
P.O. Box 870042
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
This is fascinating…I can hardly wait to see where you go next….