Passover: A Holiday of Friends, Family and Remembrance

You know Passover is nearing when CVS sells Cadbury Mini Eggs and supermarkets sell egg matzoh.

Passover commemorates the Jews’ exodus from slavery in Egypt; they left in a rush and their bread had no time to rise. In lieu of leavened bread products, for eight days, Jews eat matzoh, a substitute made from flour and water that looks like a giant cracker.

On the first night of Passover it is customary to hold a big dinner, or Seder, where you retell the story of Exodus and eat symbolic foods.

The Seder plate includes bitter herbs (horseradish), symbolizing the harshness of the slavery, which the Jews endured in Egypt.

We also eat a sweet, brown spread called charoset. This nutty paste represents the mortar used by the Jewish slaves in Egypt. Charoset is traditionally made from chopped walnuts, apples, cinnamon, and red wine.

During the Seder we dip a vegetable (often parsley), called karpas, into salt water. The water represents tears – and mirrors the pain felt by the Jewish slaves in Egypt. The plate also includes a hard-boiled egg and shank bone.

It would appear from all the talk of bitterness and tears that Passover is a solemn holiday. And to some degree, it is. But it is also a joyous time – a celebration of freedom.

It’s always been one of my favorite holidays. Our family always makes a big Seder, with members of both my mom and dad’s families. This year we will host 30 guests - lots of first cousins and second cousins, and a new cousin due to arrive any day.

Life in 2011 is fast-paced: We tweet, we blog, we buy apps. But when we gather around the Seder table, we take a few minutes to express gratitude for our blessings and acknowledge those are who are no longer with us. We also remember what our ancestors endured.

Our two-year-old son is probably too young to understand the entire story of Passover. But I will encourage him to eat matzoh with his cousins next week. Kids tend to like it with peanut butter and jelly; I prefer cream cheese or dipped in chocolate!

I’m thrilled that preschool is holding a Seder for the kids. Director Arlene Sherman says it is a nice time for families to get together and “build Jewish memories.” The students will retell the story of Passover, sing traditional songs and bake their own matzoh.

If you’ve never attended a Seder, now’s your chance. The Temple is also holding a community Seder Tuesday, April 19 at 6 p.m.

Registration required. Dinner for adults $50; Kids $25/$15

Temple Ner Tamid
936 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-338-1500
info@nertamid.org