The goal of this day is to “increase awareness, responsibility and action towards a clean healthy future for all living things.”
Take some time today to do your part; plant a tree, pick up trash, start composting, reduce the trash you produce. Everything you do makes a difference!
April is National Community Service Month. Au Pairs in the West Orange, Verona, Glen Ridge, Essex Fells, Little Falls and Nutley area contributed by making 240 brown bag lunches for St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark. Every community needs volunteers. Everyone can make a difference. Next time you are at the park or walking in the neighborhood, bring a garbage bag and a pair of gloves and pick up any trash you find while there.
Au Pairs from Glen Ridge, West Orange, Essex Fells and Montclair joined forces the April Cluster Meeting and performed a meaningful community service project. 30 hard working au pairs made over 240 brown bag lunches for the clients of St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark. It took alot of teamwork to assemble the lunches, but these young women were happy to give back to the less fortune of Essex County.
Celebrating Easter
Easter is one of the most awaited Christian festivals. It is celebrated throughout the world by the followers of Christian community. It is considered to be very auspicious as it is believed that this was the day when Christ resurrected after crucifixion. This day is of immense religious as well as social significance amongst the Christian community.
Church services and festive celebrations blend together during the Easter weekend. On Easter Sunday in New York and other cities, large Easter parades are held. Easter in USA is also very much commercialized. Easter symbols like bunnies, Easter tree, Easter Eggs and Easter lamb are found in different forms during the Easter festivities throughout the market. The popular trend of Easter symbols such as the Easter bunny and egg tree were introduced to the American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. Gradually American people took to crafts such as egg and Easter tree decoration. Easter in US is also a time to enjoy special Easter foods such as baked ham, potatoes and vegetables. Several special recipes are made at each home. Easter parties are also organized where traditional Easter delicacies are served and people enjoy wonderful get together along with Easter games and music.
For children’s Easter games and activities go to: http://www.thekidzpage.com/easter_games/index.html
Observing Passover
Passover is an eight day celebration observed each year by the Jewish religion. It commemorates the freedom of Jewish slaves from Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. Families celebrate Passover by having a seder. With special foods, songs, and customs, the Seder is the focal point of the Passover celebration. Seder means order, and the Passover story is read in order from a book called a haggadah.
Fearing that Jews were becoming too strong, a Pharaoh decreed that all male Jewish babies were to be killed. Jocheved and Amran, a Jewish couple, wanted to save their infant son – so they put him in a basket that floated him down the river. The infant was rescued by the Pharaoh’s daughter and she raised him as her own son. She named the baby Moses, which means “take from the water.”
When Moses grew up, he empathized with the Jewish slaves and tried to get the Pharaoh to free them. The Pharaoh refused – so there were 10 plagues sent down to Egypt: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Beasts, Cattle Disease, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, and Slaying of the Firstborn. The name Passover comes from the Plague of Slaying the Firstborn. The Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Jews who had put lambs blood on their doors.
After the 10th plague, Pharaoh agreed to let the Jewish slaves go. They gathered up their belongings quickly, and didn’t have time for their bread to rise, so they had to bake it and take it the way it was. This is why the Jewish people eat matzah during Passover. As the Jews were fleeing, Pharaoh changed his mind, and sent his army after the people to bring them back. Moses parted the Red Sea for the Jews to cross, and as soon as they were safely to the other side, the waters closed on the soldiers, drowning them all. The Jewish people were free
For children’s activities go to: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/passover/
Au Pairs from West Orange, Verona, Glen Ridge and Essex Fells spent a recent afternoon bowling at Eagle Rock Lanes in West Orange. For some, it was the first time to try this favorite American pastime, for others, it was a chance to show off their skills. There were many new faces to meet at this Cluster meeting too as we were welcomed three new Au Pairs to the group this month. Everyone had a great time and a lot of laughs!
Backwards Day is a day to do everything backwards. It’s especially popular with school-aged kids. think… writing backwards, reading backwards, wear your shirt with the back in the front. Eat your dinner, but start with dessert.. Use your imagination….
Au Pairs from the NJG and NJA clusters attended the Broadway show Memphis for their January Cluster meeting. It was a thrill to see this wonderful production, which not only had fantastic music and dancing, but also taught everyone some American history relating to the race relations between Black and White Americans in the South during the 1950’s. Everyone had a great time, in spite of the FREEZING cold temperatures in New York City!
Under the starry skies of Essex County New Jersey, au pairs from the Glen Ridge, Verona, West Orange, Nutley and Montclair areas got together for an American treat; an ice cream social! Scoops and toppings were mixed with topics including new au pairs to the area, class selection for this Fall and travel opportunities. There was excitement in the air as everyone spoke of Fall plans for themselves and their host families!
July 4th commemorates the signing of the Declaration on Independence by the founding fathers of the United States. The holiday is celebrated throughout the country with parades, fireworks, concerts and barbeques. Shown here is a picture of some of the area Au Pair in America au pairs taking part in the local festivities in Northern New Jersey by enjoying a concert and fireworks together on July1st in Brookdale Park.
This month, some of the Au Pairs in the NJG Cluster learned the essentials of water safety. This is an important topic given most Au Pairs will accompany their host families to the beach or pool frequently this summer. Among the topics discussed were the use of barriers to prevent small children from entering a pool or other water hazard, the establishment of pool or beach “rules”, the importance of lifeguards, the need for constant supervision and oversight of children near water, and emergency procedures in the event of a problem. It was a fun and informative session designed to help ensure safe visits to the pool and beach this summer!
