Seder At St Rose: Observing The Return Of A Jewish Holiday Season

By Shannon Hicks

Passover, the most important feast of the Jewish calendar, begins this year at sunset on April 2. Celebrated at the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox, Passover begins with a Seder, a ceremonial meal that takes place at home during which stories and songs are read from the Haggadah.

Members of St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church celebrated Seder on March 21, welcoming two of the teachers and members of the Ritual Committee from Congregation Adath Israel. Mark Rebb and Bonnie Goldstein, both gabbaim, led the Seder for the members of St Rose, with Mr Rebb explaining many of the rituals that took place during the evening and Mrs Goldstein joining him for many of the Haggadah readings in Hebrew. Nineteen people were in attendance for this year’s Seder, which was an entertaining and educational evening. It was also, considering a full meal was served, very filling.

The Seder had been prepared by members of St Rose. Before the evening progressed too far, Mr Rebb urged everyone to sit back and relax in their seats.

“Don’t sit too formally. Relax, lean back,” he said. “Passover is a celebration of freedom. It is a reminder that we are free to celebrate our faith as we live in this great country.

“The Passover story reminds us that we were slaves, and we can never let that happen gain,” he added. “Relax, and celebrate your freedom!”

Mr Rebb used a Haggadah that was written in Hebrew and English to outline the 14 elements of The Order of the Passover Seder. Each element was touched upon during the course of the evening but, as Mr Rebb explained, “it would take more than a full evening to read the entire book.” He also made time to share anecdotes and further explain some of the ideas behind the prayers that were being recited Thursday evening.

In addition to responsive prayers during the Seder, attendees participated by reading from the Haggadah.  After Mrs Goldstein read in Hebrew The Four Questions, and Mr Rebb read them in English, readings from The Answer were done round-robin style, with each person taking his or her turn in reading aloud a paragraph at a time.

After following the opening steps of the Seder — including in part the recitation of the Kiddush, the washing of the hands, the eating of a green vegetable, breaking the middle matzah, reciting the Passover story, saying the Hamotzi, and eating bitter herbs that had been dipped into salted water — dinner was served. Bill Monaco of St Rose had prepared a turkey for the evening, and his wife Mandy had prepared matzo ball soup, haroseth (an apple and walnut creation at St Rose, the dish’s consistency is intended to remind those participating in the Seder of the bricks and mortar their ancestors made while enslaved in ancient Egypt), and kugel (a noodle pudding with sugar and fruit).

Also on the menu were hard boiled eggs prepared by Alice Walsh, green beans, and plenty of gefilte. Dessert was a selection of macaroons and candy fruit slices.

It was Jean Fadus who found the Afikoman — one half of a matzah that had been broken during an earlier blessing — which had been hidden by Mrs Goldstein. Following tradition, Mrs Fadus exchanged the Afikoman for a small gift, and then the matzah was broken into smaller pieces and shared by everyone at the table.

By this time next year, Congregation Adath Israel should be able to host a Seder in its own synagogue.

Ground was broken for the new temple back in April 2005, and construction has continued since. Thanks to a mild winter, construction has continued during the past few months.

“Our new building is months ahead of schedule thanks to the mild winter,” Mr Rebb said Thursday. “We always enjoy the hospitality that has been shown by St Rose, and we can’t wait to return the favor.

“Our entire synagogue wouldn’t fill this room,” he said, drawing laughter, “but soon our new building will be open and we will be able to grow, and return the favor with our Seder.”