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2021 Passover observances balance tradition with safety By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The pandemic shuttered synagogues last year and left families scrambling to balance traditions with health. With new expanded vaccine eligibility, some Passover seders may be held in-person with minimal risk. Passover is a weeklong Jewish holiday commemorating the exodus of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. The holiday is marked with a feast called a seder, which may last several hours depending on family tradition and religious observance. Through several iterations of storytelling and symbolic food, the story of the Jewish exodus is read from a Haggadah. The holiday this year began March 27 at sunset. Tradition poses a question during the seder: Why is this night different from all other nights? Given the first glimpse of a COVID-19 surge a year ago this month, this question continues to take on new meaning. The seder plate has several key ingredients to help visualize the story. A shank bone symbolizes the lamb’s blood painted over doorposts to shelter from the tenth plague. Charoset, a blended mixture of fruits, nuts, wine and spices is a reminder of the mortar used to build Egyptian cities. Bitter herbs and salt water represent the bitterness of slavery, while parsley greens call attention to an approaching spring season. A
hardboiled egg is a reminder of previous burnt offerings. Also present is an abundance of matzah, the unleavened bread acknowledging the haste to which the exodus happened. An extra cup of wine is poured as an invitation to welcome strangers. A year now into the pandemic, families are still contemplating the best way to observe Passover, whether in-person or virtually again. “More Jews celebrate Passover than any other Jewish holiday, so this is one where people are really accustomed to celebrating in their own homes or going to somebody’s house, and it’s part of the custom to host strangers for dinner,” Senior Rabbi Spike Anderson at Temple Emanu-El in Sandy Springs said. “Last year, the unknowns were really dark and scary, and this year (they) seem to be much more optimistic and positive.” Temple Emanu-El scheduled a themed virtual Seder on March 28th, the second night of Passover, focusing on moral responsibility and societal injustices. The first and second nights were held online last year. Dunwoody-based Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) re-opened in June with added safety protocols and held virtual seders on March 27 & 28 led by Rabbi Brian Glusman. The virtual seder held last year was the first in the organization’s history. “Last year, given people’s need to
See PASSOVER, Page 21
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A recent survey of Dunwoody residents shows a preference to have the site of the Austin Elementary School converted to some sort of open-air community space. The school was demolished early this year.
Residents prefer park at former school site By CATHY COBBS newsroom@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. – A preliminary survey indicates that Dunwoody residents want to use the land at the former Austin Elementary School for openair recreational purposes when it is redeveloped. At its annual retreat this month, the Dunwoody City Council discussed the results of a city-administered survey that measured interest in a variety of proposed uses, including a community garden, event pavilions,
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playgrounds and athletic facilities. It found that most respondents wanted space for outdoor activities like festivals and concerts, rather than building a gymnasium or educational facility, Dunwoody Parks Director Brett Walker said. The online survey conducted last fall asked respondents to rate their priorities for the 10-acre parcel on Roberts Road, the former site for the elementary school, which was raised earlier this year. The survey indicated
See AUSTIN, Page 2