We have been having a Passover Seder for lo these many years.? Jewish friend Mickie starting having a very eclectic seder when she was in her early 20s – and when she moved out of town, son Brian and I continued.
Several years lately it has been very small, but this year, it perked back up.? We had 9 folk plus Elijah at the table for Second Seder, on Saturday night.? A nun, 2 elementary school kids, and assorted friends.
We also had 3 Haggadahs – copies of the 23-page one Mickie handwrote sometime in the late 70s or early 80s, another one called A Children’s Haggadah, and a third one, The Seder, created a few years ago by Congregation Beth Adam here in town, which subtitles itself Judaism with a Humanistic Perspective.? I love it – simple, powerful, beautiful, poetic – and without a single mention of God, which is actually a bit of a shock.
It was wonderful to watch the kids handle the 4 Questions, work hard on the unfamiliar words, wonder when we get to the food (we started a bit late), open the door for Elijah and then find the afikomen.
The seder plate was beautiful, with chives and parsley from the garden, and a long sea shell substituting for the lamb bone.? We went through lots of non-alcoholic sparkling juices.? Brian incredibly made matzo ball soup with egg replacer, so there actually were matzo balls (most years it has become a sort of mush.)? Too much wonderful food as always.
And I just got the last load of dishes run through the dishwasher after I got home from our family Easter celebration.
It has been quite the weekend of Traditions!