Pesach is the Hebrew name for the holiday of Passover. The clever ancient rabbis also played with the word, dividing the word Pesach into the two words Peh and Sach, meaning “a mouth for conversation.” Traditionally, the Jewish way of learning is in conversation with another.

One of the ways we celebrate Passover, especially at the holiday meal, called the Seder, is by asking a lot of questions. In this podcast, Rabbi Elyssa Austerklein speaks with eight children and teens, ages 6-16, who have an Autism Spectrum diagnosis.

The brain of someone with Autism is wired differently than a neurotypical person. Sensory experiences may be heightened and how a person receives and offers communication may be different. As opposed to the old adage great minds think alike, as Jews, and as people embracing neurodiversity, we believe that great minds don’t think alike. We learn and grow optimally when we engage with those who show us a new way of thinking.

Today, on this special podcast episode, you'll hear about Passover from a new perspective with insights from Jewish children and teens on the Autism Spectrum.

You can learn more about Ivrim Jews Without Borders at www.jewswithoutborders.org.

Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions.