Celebrating Seder: ‘We Are Free!’

By Shannon Hicks

Nearly 70 people enjoyed a historic event at Congregation Adath Israel on April 20: the first Seder hosted by the synagogue now that the building has opened for Newtown’s Jewish community.

“Welcome to the inaugural premiere event for Seder in our new building,” Gabbi Mark Rebb said to those assembled for the service followed by dinner on Sunday evening. The Seder, or service made up of four ordered parts, lasted nearly three hours and must have touched the hearts and humor of everyone in that building because there were laughter and smiles all night, along with readings, songs, and, of course, full bellies by the end of the gathering. In addition to being the Jewish celebration of Passover during which stories are shared and songs are sung from the Haggadah, it was a continuation of joy for Congregation Adath Israel members, who moved into their brand-new synagogue in September.

There were plenty of customary moments during the course of the Seder — the four cups of wine, the bitter herbs and salt water, the Afikoman, and plenty of matzos — but Sunday also introduced a few new elements. There were nine separate tables, each hosting its own full service and implements on Sunday.

“Jews have so many ways to celebrate Passover,” Gabbi Mark said. “We all come from our own unique perspectives. One new element we’re going to introduce tonight is Miriam’s Cup.”

According to the bulletin provided to everyone attending Sunday’s Seder, Miriam’s Cup is a new way to honor the women of the Jewish faith, who have been the life force of birth and spirit of the faith. Miriam and her well were spiritual oases in the desert, sources of sustenance and healing both spiritual and physical.

To honor Miriam during the Seder, a cup is placed on the Seder table and filled with water instead of wine, paying tribute to Miriam’s role in ensuring the survival of the Jewish people. Once the cup is on the Seder table, the story of an influential Jewish woman is then shared. Third grade classes of the synagogue had decorated plastic cups specifically to be used as Miriam’s Cups for Sunday’s ceremonial meal.

There were also a few different types of Charoset on each table, honoring the backgrounds of the women who prepared them. Charoset is the sweet relish made of chopped apples, nuts, and sweet wine that represents the mortar used while Jews were enslaved in Egypt. One variation last weekend included orange peels and avocadoes, while another was much more blended, almost like a paste, than most people are used to.

(One fashionable departure was also noticed. Among the heads covered with cotton, corduroy, and fairly nondescript yarmulkes seen on Sunday was one deep blue one, made of velvet, emblazoned with a New York Yankees logo.)

Along with many members of Congregation Adath Israel were some special guests from St Rose. St Rose has hosted a Seder in its parish hall for a number of years and ironically, while Congregation Adath Israel continues to get used to its new space at 115 Huntingtown Road the Catholic parish hall was unavailable this year. St Rose, which is going through a major expansion and renovation project to replace its aging parish hall, has traditionally invited members of Congregation Adath Israel to its Seder, so this year the synagogue returned the favor.

“Having St Rose join us this year was one of three reasons we’re having the Seder tonight,” Gabbi Mark said. “Our first reason was to get everyone out of their home. Sometimes people don’t have someone else to celebrate Passover with, and we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to share Seder with others..

“Second, St Rose has hosted a Seder and has invited us for years,” he continued. “This year they don’t have a home for themselves and we wanted to share this with them.

“And third, this is just part of being Jewish, to celebrate Seder.”

Passover began this year at sundown on Saturday, April 19. Many of those in attendance on Sunday had already celebrated a Seder with their family the previous night.

One point Gabbi Mark kept returning to on Sunday was freedom, and the right of Jews to celebrate their freedom without fear.

“We are here tonight to recognize that we are free,” he said. “As we tell the stories, we should recall that there was a time when we as Jews were not free to do this.

“Drink, eat, and be merry. That’s the point of Passover,” he said, his voice raising with excitement. “We are free! We are free!”

Even dinner was a first for some, since the trays that were served to each table only included fish offerings. There was gefilte fish, salmon salad, whitefish salad, lox, and herring salad. There were huge bowls of tossed salad, and then plates of macaroons, almonds, and other cookies were served for dessert.

The evening concluded with everyone standing and singing “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem, with music leader Neil Morse and guitarist Kurt Gillis directing the group. The two were also responsible for leading the majority of the singing all night, which was also an important part of the Seder.