PASSOVER Tambourine plays a role in the observance

Sing "Miriam's Song" as part the seder ritual.
By Kathy Antoniotti
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
If your family celebrates the festival of Passover, you might notice a new object this year amidst the more familiar ones on your seder table. Many families have added a goblet of water to their Passover rituals to honor the contributions of women to Jewish culture and history. Passover begins this year at sundown on Monday.
The festival of Passover lasts eight days and celebrates the flight of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt to freedom in Canaan, later called Palestine, about the year 1200 B.C. The story comes from the second book of the Bible called Exodus and explains how the nation of Israel was founded.
Special objects
During the traditional seder meal, held the first and second nights of Passover, families use special objects and foods to re-enact the story. Seder rituals are described in a book called the Haggadah, which includes the story of Exodus and prayers and songs to explain the meaning behind the biblical text.
The prophet Moses, the leader of the Hebrews, is the principal character of Exodus. As their direct link to God, Moses helped the Jews form a covenant with God for protection during their search for Canaan, which lasted for 40 years. In exchange, they agreed to obey his laws.
While Moses gets most of the credit for their success, the contributions his sister Miriam made are often overlooked. It is said that before his birth, Miriam prophesied that Moses would be the salvation of the Hebrew people. She dedicated her life to protecting Moses so he could fulfill that destiny.
It was Miriam who bolstered the flagging spirits of the Hebrews during their time in the desert, often leading the women in song and dance. Miriam's presence at a modern seder has traditionally been symbolized by including a tambourine for re-enactments of "Miriam's Song," a part of the Haggadah.
Honoring Miriam
Today, Jewish people recognize Miriam for an even greater contribution to their history and a seder table might hold a goblet of water to symbolize it. As a reward for her dedication to her people, it is said God gave Miriam the ability to provide a well of clear spring water wherever they traveled during their long sojourn in the desert, insuring their survival.
During your Passover celebrations this year, your family might sing the words to "Miriam's Song" using lyrics and music written in 1988 by Debbie Friedman. You can make a tambourine to accompany the song and decorate it with a picture of a water goblet to represent Miriam using directions I found at www.crayola.com on the Web. I combined directions from two projects and modified these instructions.
For more stories about Miriam's life, read "Miriam's Cup: A Passover Story" by Fran Manushkin and illustrated by Bob Dacey.
Tambourine supplies
Supplies you will need:
U2 plastic foam plates, any size.
U4 metal washers.
U4 brass paper fasteners.
U4 jingle bells.
UNarrow ribbon.
UColorful wrapping paper.
UGold three-dimensional paint.
UHole punch.
UGlue.
UPencil.
Punch 12 evenly spaced holes around the outside edges of one plate. Place the top sides of both plates together keeping the plate with holes on the top. Use a pencil to mark where the holes are on the bottom plate.
Punch holes in the bottom plate at the marks.
Put the plates back together and put four jingle bells inside the two plates.
Sandwich four washers, evenly spaced, between the plates at four holes. Place paper fasteners through the washers and holes to hold.
Cut the ribbon into 8 pieces, each 22 inches in length.
Weave each piece through each hole and tie to secure.
Draw and cut out a water goblet from a brightly colored piece of wrapping paper. Glue it to the center of the top plate.
Add finishing touches to your tambourine with gold three-dimensional paint and let dry.