This Pesach, something powerful unfolded around hundreds of dining room tables across the world. What is often experienced as an adult gathering in shul was reimagined as something interactive and alive for children.
Over 4,000 families had the opportunity to participate in a tailor-made Moshiach Seudah experience through the Moshiach Seudah Family Home Program — a thoughtfully designed booklet created for Lubavitcher families. The initiative, a collaboration between Merkos 302’s MyShliach, the Moshiach Office’s Festival of the Future program, and the Merkos Chinuch Office, set out to bring the depth and feeling of Moshiach Seudah into every home.
“The Rebbe saw children not just as students, but as teachers and leaders,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “That is how Yiddishkeit has been preserved throughout all generations. Seudas Moshiach is meant to make the Geulah a reality in every home, and when a child takes the lead, the whole family is uplifted.”
Forty-six years ago, in 5740 (1980), the Rebbe dedicated the Acharon Shel Pesach farbrengen to children, emphasizing that just as the Seder revolves around the child’s questions, the last day of Pesach highlights the child’s ability to lead with clarity and faith.
“Moshiach Seudah is such a powerful time; we wanted every child to participate and lead, not just observe it,” said Rabbi Mendy Shanowitz, Director of MyShliach at Merkos 302. “We hope it’s an experience our children will look forward to year after year.”
More than 4,000 booklets were distributed globally, with 40 schools taking advantage of a heavily subsidized offer made possible by a generous donor. Many schools ensured every child received one, while individual families and shluchim ordered copies for their own homes.
The program was designed to be an experience, not just something you read. The stories, niggunim, discussion prompts, and activities woven throughout put the children at the lead.
When children were asked what they loved most, their answers said it all. “I really enjoyed singing the niggunim with everyone and reading the stories out loud,” shared Aaron Goltsman of Cheder Lubavitch of Arizona. Adina Leah Polak of Bais Chaya Mushka in Toronto added that “the pictures and the mashalim helped me understand why we need a plan to bring Moshiach.”
Parents echoed the enthusiasm. “They enjoyed reading the stories, singing the niggunim, and celebrating together with family and friends,” shared Rochel Leah Engel, from Stamford, Connecticut. “The introductions to each niggun and the uplifting stories and messages were beautiful,” another parent shared. “We learned and we sang together. This truly uplifted the end of our Yom Tov.”
To encourage engagement, children who completed and submitted participation forms were entered into a grand raffle, with five winners receiving meaningful prizes:
Naavah Duchan, Brooklyn, NY – Bike
Gita Aizenman, Kingston, PA – Set of Likkutei Dibburim
Chaya Liberov, Porto Alegre, Brazil – Scooter
Moshele Raskin, Montego Bay, Jamaica – Drone
Chanoch Hershkop, Kingston, PA – Set of Lessons in Tanya
This Pesach, the Moshiach Seudah became something children owned. Something they helped lead. Something that happened not just in shul, but in their home too.
Ben david be revealed now