Passover Jewish News

7 7 7 5 r e v o s s a P

Supplement to Jewish News April 3, 2017

Passover Dear Readers,

T

here’s never been a contest for me…

Passover has always been my all time

favorite holiday. Among the numerous reasons, one for sure, is the food.

While some dread the eight-day diet of matzo, gefilte fish, and matzo ball soup, I look forward to it. Apparently, I’m not alone. Or at least there’s a market for people like me.

Just published, Matzo, 35 Recipes for Passover and All Year Long, by Michele Streit Heilbrun (co-owner of Streit’s, the more than 90-year-old Kosher food company), is a colorful book shaped like a piece of— yes, you guessed it—matzo. In addition to creative dishes such as matzo nachos and tiramisu, the standards are included, too, such as classic chicken soup and L.E.O. Matzo Brei.

With easy-to-follow recipes, beautiful photographs, and fun memories of Streit’s interspersed, this is a cookbook I’ll use all year.

But for those who don’t want a book, kosher.com offers a wealth of recipes, videos, and ideas for Passover and year round. Recipes are from renowned Kosher chefs such as Susie Fishbein, Jamie Geller, and Naomi Nachman. The site is massive.

“Our Passover-specific videos and articles help and inspire users on topics of all kinds: innovative Seder table settings, Passover Prep 101, step-by-step guides to making recipes, ways to use up chometz, and even things to do with your kids during the bread-free holiday,” says Leah Gottheim, vice president of Kosher.com.

I hope these new resources are able to assist you in preparing for the holiday as much as I’m counting on them helping me!

Happy Passover!

Terri Denison, Editor

16 | Jewish News | Passover | April 3, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

Passover begins on the evening of April 10 Three popular humorists write a Haggadah for the “when do we eat?” crowd

O

Andrew Silow-Carroll

f making many Passover Haggadahs there is no end.

If the Maxwell House version doesn’t cut it for you, there are Haggadahs for vegans, for children, for chocolate lovers, and even for Christians. There’s the Santa Cruz Haggadah for hippies and the New American Haggadah for hipsters.

There are annotated Haggadahs for those who want to extend the seder into the wee hours, and the 30 Minute Seder Haggadah for those who want to eat, pray, and bolt.

Now three well-known American humorists have written a Haggadah for an overlooked crowd: the wise guys, cutups and punsters who frankly have a hard time taking the whole thing seriously.

For This We Left Egypt? A Passover Haggadah for Jews and Those Who Love Them (Flatiron Books) is a collaboration of Dave Barry, whose syndicated Miami Herald humor column ran for more than 20 years; Alan Zweibel, an original Saturday Night Live writer and co-creator of It’s Garry Shandling’s Show; and Adam Mansbach, the novelist who had a sleeper hit with his faux children’s book, Go the F*** to Sleep.

For This We Left Egypt? (henceforth known as FTWLE) is the sort of book that includes Jerry Lewis as one of the Ten Plagues, that wonders why slaves escaping Egypt would run directly toward a body

Dave Barry

Alan Zweibel

of water, and that suggests Jews are told to eat the bitter herbs known as maror “to remind ourselves that we never, ever again as a people, want to be in a position where we have to eat freaking maror.”

For all the jokes, however (and it is pretty much all jokes), the book follows the basic steps of an actual seder and includes some prayers in their original Hebrew. It’s even printed from right to left. If you were to discard the jokes, you’d be left with a fairly faithful framework of an actual Haggadah, albeit six pages long.

At a panel discussion last month at the New York Public Library featuring the three authors, Barry said they hoped that some readers would actually use their parody haggadah at a seder. In the first place, it would mean selling more books.

And in the second place—well, he didn’t mention a second place.

Barry had previously collaborated with Zweibel on the 2012 novel Lunatics.

Mansbach and Zweibel wrote the 2015 kids’ book Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in My…. The three met up a few years ago at the Miami Book Fair and, at Mansbach’s suggestion, started an email chain that ended up as FTWLE. Zweibel, who grew up as a member of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere, New York, had previously assured himself a place in Jewish Humor Heaven when he suggested to fellow SNL writers Al Franken and Tom Davis

Adam Mansbach

the idea for the Royal Deluxe II commercial parody. In that 1977 skit, a rabbi tests a smooth-riding luxury car by circumcising a baby in the back seat.

Mansbach described his own 2009 novel The End of the Jews as a book about the “complexities of a Jewish identity—the fact that you can feel culturally Jewish without being religious, or understand yourself ethnically as Jewish, but not be down with the dominant politics of Jewish life, and so on.”

Which might seem to leave Barry, the son of a Presbyterian minister, as the odd man out in this trio, except that he and his Jewish wife belong to a Reform temple in Miami and he served as sandek—honorary baby holder—at his grandson’s brit milah.

Barry recalled the family seders where his father-in-law and family patriarch, a Cuban Jewish immigrant named Harry Kaufman, liked to recite the complete Haggadah in at least three languages.

The other guests tried to trick Harry into “skipping huge chunks of it and then pretend he fell asleep.”

Looking back on those marathons, Barry said, “No wonder this religion is in trouble.”

In fact, the target audience for FTWLE are those who approach the annual seder as a bit of an ordeal—an endurance test of biblical storytelling standing between them and their meal. A 2013 Pew survey of American Jews found that attending a seder is the most commonly observed Jewish practice, but it didn’t seem to ask if anyone is actually enjoying the proceedings.

In recent years, there’s been a slew of Haggadahs meant to enliven the typical seder, with discussion questions for the adults and games to distract—I mean engage—the kids.

Those efforts come in for ribbing in the FTWLE as well.

Following the section on the Four Sons, one of a series of “discussion questions” asks, “Vito ‘The G-dfather’ Corleone had four children: Sonny, Fredo, Michael, and Connie. At Corleone family Seders, who do you think asked each of the four questions, and why?”

(Yes, FTWLE follows traditional Jewish practice by spelling the Almighty’s name as “G-d,” as in “Then G-d spoke from inside the cloud. At least he said he was G-d; there was no way to tell for sure because of the cloud.”)

(And weirdly enough, it doesn’t have a parody of the Four Questions. Why is this Haggadah parody different from all other Haggadah parodies—of which there are examples, according to Yiddish scholar Eddy Portnoy, as far back as the 13th century?)

I’m a product of the “seders don’t have to be boring” generation, and at our table keep a stack of modern commentaries and supplements on hand to keep the evening lively. This year I’ll add FTWLE for the times when things begin to flag. And I’ll toss out questions from it like this one: “How come the Angel of Death needed lamb’s blood to know which houses the Israelites lived in? You’d think that would be the kind of thing the Angel of Death would just know, right?”

For a parody Haggadah, that’s a seriously good question. (JTA)

jewishnewsva.org | April 3, 2017 | Passover | Jewish News | 17

Passover This is what our interfaith seder is like to think about what matters,” Larry says.

“See? Marrying outside my faith is making me a better Jew.” Fast forward to Passover 2014.

Walking by a local church the morning of Passover, I noticed a passage carved into the steeple: “ How wonderful it is How pleasant for God’s people To live together in harmony

Psalm 133”

Jennifer Reinharz

(Kveller via JTA)—Born into a Catholic family with a Jewish surname, I should have expected I would one day find myself leading a Passover seder.

To date, my husband Larry and I have hosted nine seders, eight of which I’ve had the honor to lead. This role was bestowed upon me after my Jewish husband concluded that in light of my organized, creative, teacher-like nature, I was the right person for the job. The tradeoff was food prep, which he happily agreed to tackle. Not one who enjoys cooking, I acquiesced. Besides, the man makes a mean brisket.

I love a good Passover seder.

But I didn’t always feel that way.

In the beginning, I found it a tough ceremony to swallow. I felt like the token Christian, the stranger in the wrong outfit eating the matzah out of order. The structure of the service confused me, and the intensity associated with staying on task gave me the perfect excuse to keep quiet.

I felt excluded by the deluge of Hebrew spoken by those in the know and, in general, lost—drowned in a Red Sea of rigidity, pomp, and circumstance. For

years I couldn’t wait to suck down that fourth cup of wine and hightail it home.

But, I married a Jewish man, and we were raising our kids Jewish. Determined to do right by my Catholic self and our Jewish family, I set out on a mission to create an interfaith-friendly seder.

First, I compiled a Haggadah full of catchy ditties, kid-friendly verses, and hands-on plagues. I switched up the order of the service, made the blessings accessible in English and Hebrew, added passages about civil rights and the human condition, highlighted springtime symbolism, and offered readings that would appeal to different belief systems.

Interfaith marriage is about building bridges. Larry was open to the idea and respected my effort to design a Haggadah that made sense for me, but also maintained traditions he felt strengthened the Jewish identity of our sons­ — and encouraged new and experienced guests to discuss important Passover themes like freedom, rebirth, and “tikkun olam,” healing the world.

It took a few years to earn our seder hosting chops, but we eventually found a balance.

“Your Haggadah puts me in a position

18 | Jewish News | Passover | April 3, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

I thought about our seder guests. That evening, 16 people—Jews, Catholics, Muslims, a son of Methodist missionaries, family, old friends, and new faces—would gather around our table like a bona fide interfaith, intergenerational jamboree.

As suspected, it turned out to be just that.

We waited to kick off the festivities so my Muslim neighbor could run home to say her afternoon prayers.

My father, a good ol’ boy and the son of Methodist missionaries who has a mezuzah affixed to his doorpost out of respect for our Jewish ancestors, joined us for his first seder and my first holiday with him since I was a baby.

Adults and young people alike wore sunglasses to symbolize darkness, the ninth plague, and enjoyed an enthusiastic food fight of marshmallow hail.

Twentysomethings and teenagers were just as jazzed as the under-10 population to hunt for the afikomen.

The widow and sister of a dear friend, a devout Irish Catholic who always attended our seders, but passed away a few years ago, recited the concluding poem together, a job historically reserved for him.

And when the seder ended, that sister—a retired high school special education teacher, mother of four, grandmother

who attends daily Mass and a Passover newcomer—stood up and addressed the group.

She shared: “We are a society of self-absorbed immediacy. It seems that all anyone cares about today are the latest trends, the hottest stars and themselves. It is important to pass on traditions, talk about ancestry, tell stories and make connections to the past. Doing this creates a necessary foundation for our children. For me, the seder represents hope and a renewed determination to keep ALL the traditions we have alive and fun.”

Then she took home our Haggadah to use as a teaching aid in her Catechism class.

Last Passover, this friend’s theory became practice when my son, then nine, asked to do more. He read the story of Exodus and recited the 10 plagues along with a couple of blessings in Hebrew.

And on the second night, when we held an intimate seder with family, he wowed the crowd by taking the lead.

I was not raised Jewish. I did not convert to Judaism. But watching my son embrace his Jewish identity made this interfaith mama proud.

Larry and I will soon welcome the usual crew to our pleasant Passover.

Should Elijah slip through the open door, I hope he’ll stay for a sip or two of wine. There are 16 people who value tradition, freedom, inclusivity, harmony, and humanity he’s going to want to meet.

Should Elijah slip through the open door, I hope he’ll stay for a sip or two of wine.

Jennifer Reinharz writes for children and blogs for grown-ups. A BlogHer 2015 Voice of the Year and author of the blog Red said what?, Reinharz’s writing has also appeared online at InterFaithFamily, Scary Mommy, Mamalode and Brain Child, as well as other publications.

Passover

T

HIAS creates Haggadah supplement focusing on refugees

hias haggadah supplement 2017 • 5777

introduction

before the seder begins Leader reads aloud: Throughout our history, violence and persecution have driven the Jewish people to wander in search of a safe place to call home. We are a refugee people. At the Passover Seder, we gather to retell the story of our original wandering and the freedom we found. But we do not just retell the story. We are commanded to imagine ourselves as though we, personally, went forth from Egypt – to imagine the experience of being victimized because of who we are, of being enslaved, and of being freed.

As we step into this historical experience, we cannot help but draw to mind the 65 million displaced people and refugees around the world today fleeing violence and persecution, searching for protection.

Like our ancestors, today’s refugees experience displacement, uncertainty, lack of resources, and the complete disruption of their lives.

Over the past year, we have read almost daily about humanitarian crises, watched xenophobic hate crimes increase, and been overwhelmed by the sheer number of people being persecuted. In the United States, in particular, we have experienced a devastating closing of doors to refugees. We now have the opportunity this evening to move beyond the headlines and the statistics to focus on the individual experiences behind the numbers and policies. These are the experiences of refugees around the world who, like the ancient Israelites, are finding liberation amidst brokenness and rebuilding their lives.

Tonight, as we embrace the experience of our ancestors, we also lift up the experiences of the world’s refugees who still wander in search of safety and freedom.

his Passover, as court battles unfold across the country over President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees, the story of Jews fleeing slavery and searching for safety is more relevant than ever.

HIAS created a supplement to the traditional Passover Haggadah that reflects on the experiences of refugees around the world today who, like the ancient Israelites, are seeking to rebuild their lives.

This Haggadah supplement incorporates the stories of some of the thousands of refugees that HIAS has helped resettle across the United States. It also contains readings, interactive activities, and a guide to help people advocate for refugees. It is available online at www.hias.org/passover2017.

For HIAS and those seeking to find ways to support and welcome refugees, Passover presents an ideal opportunity to remember the lessons of Jewish history—and apply them anew.

1

Have a

Joyous Passover Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday.

H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments Serving the Jewish Community of Hampton Roads Since 1865 Chapels Located in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake 757-622-7353 • www.hdofh.com Martin V. Oliver, Owner

Tonight...

Treat Your Family to Dinner AT a Movie!

Chag Pesach Sameach May your cup overflow with happiness and prosperity May your Seder bring inspiration and renewal May we all rediscover comfort and hope through our celebration of Passover

VIRGINIA BEACH • CHESAPEAKE • HAMPTON

MOVIES, TICKETS & LOCATIONS CinemaCafe.com 2017-March-Jewish-News.indd 1

2/27/17 2:23 PM

jewishnewsva.org | April 3, 2017 | Passover | Jewish News | 19

Passover The last Passover countdown checklist you will ever need Andrew Silow-Carroll

(JTA)—The 30-day period between Purim and Passover is often fraught, especially for Jews—especially if, against all sound advice, they insist on hosting a Passover seder. To ease the challenging process of planning and preparing the festive meal, we offer this handy Passover countdown checklist (Never mind that there’s not 30 days left. Hurry!): 30 days out (the day after Purim): Begin going over your invite list for the seder.

Parents, siblings and their kids, check.

Widowed Aunt Fay? Of course. But Cousin Eric? A nice guy, but how did he vote?

27 days out: Think about clearing out cabinets to make way for Passover food.

24 days out: Continue thinking about clearing out cabinets to make way for Passover food.

23 days out: Throw out Passover food still crowding the cabinet from last year: the bottle of off-brand ketchup still three-quarters filled, one jar kosher le Pesach duck sauce, one carton gluten-free “panko” matzah crumbs, two boxes of Streit’s matzah you bought last year on the second-to-last day of Passover worrying that you’d “run out.”

22 days out: Clear out last of cabinets to make room for Passover food.

21 days out: Announce to family that no more non-Passover food will be purchased between now and the holiday.

Start planning pre-Passover meals based on what you have on hand: freezer-burned hamburger meat, bags of stale macaroni, whatever that thing is in the Tupperware.

20 days out: First Passover shopping trip: condiments, tea bags, tomato sauce, tuna fish, shelf liner, grape juice, off-brand

ketchup, kosher le Pesach duck sauce, one carton gluten-free “panko” matzah crumbs, potato vodka. Total bill: $347.71.

10 days out: Finalize guest list. Finalize menu. Longingly peruse ads in Jewish newspaper for weeklong Passover cruises.

18 days out: Begin planning menu: Search online for new Passover recipes.

Brisket with horseradish gremolata?

Skillet roast chicken with fennel, parsnips and scallions? Braised lamb shanks with dates, tangerines and baby onions? Check the number of steps and ingredients for each recipe, gasp, then agree to make the same three things you’ve been making for the past 19 years.

7 days out: Last shopping before Passover: beef, chicken, fish, produce, milk, cheese, parsley, shank bone, eggs, chocolate-covered matzah, potato vodka. Total bill: You don’t wanna know.

17 days out: Cousin Eric calls asking if he can bring a date — someone he met at a “political rally.” For a “very famous politician.” Uh-oh.

16 days out: Second Passover shopping trip: macaroons, Passover cake mix, soda, jars of gefilte fish, paper plates and disposable utensils, matzah meal, wine, almonds and walnuts, jarred horseradish, cottonseed oil, mayonnaise, potato vodka.

Total bill: $740.

3 days out: Ask spouse to bring up table leaf from the basement. Begin vacuuming and cleansing all surfaces with the care normally given to sterilizing microbiological laboratories. Longingly peruse ads in Travel + Leisure magazine showing non-Jewish couples on Caribbean vacations.

5 minutes later: Return to grocery store for your free five pounds of matzah, per coupon. Reduce grocery bill by $20.97.

2 days out: Ask spouse to bring up table leaf from basement, goddammit. Set table.

14 days out: Ask spouse to bring up kosher dishes, seder plate and Haggadahs from the basement.

13 days out: Ask spouse to please bring up kosher dishes, seder plate and Haggadahs from the basement.

12 days out: Ask spouse to please bring up kosher dishes, seder plate and Haggadahs from the basement—goddammit.

20 | Jewish News | Passover | April 3, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

T

his is not a joke: A seder plate owned by the late Joan Rivers

will be auctioned off after Passover this year.

The Jewish comedy legend’s seder plate, made in the 1980s by Spode Judaica in the United Kingdom, will

5 days out: Clean and kasher sink, counters, stove, oven and refrigerator.

Begin cooking seder side dishes.

5 days out: Inform family that Passover rules already apply in kitchen: no bread, pasta, beer or everyday tableware or cutlery. When they ask what they are supposed to eat, reply “improvise.”

10 minutes later: Return again to grocery store to buy one pound of gluten-free shmurah matzah for Aunt Fay. Increase grocery bill by $67.26.

Buy Joan Rivers’ seder plate— for only $5,000

1 day out: Cousin Eric calls. It’s off with his plus-one—he can’t date a “RINO” who thinks Rachel Maddow “sometimes makes some good points.” Panic.

be auctioned April 24 at J. Greenstein & Co. in Cedarhurst, New York.

“If it didn’t belong to Joan Rivers, a used one like this would probably be worth about 100 bucks,” auction house owner Jonathan Greenstein said in a news release. “But this one is worth about $5,000 because it belonged to her.”

Greenstein & Co. will also auction off a passport that belonged to Zeev Jabotinsky, the Russian author and founder of the Revisionist Zionist movement.

As The New York Times notes, J. Greenstein & Co. has previously auctioned off a menorah owned by

Seder day: Welcome parents, siblings, their kids, Aunt Fay and Cousin Eric.

Ask your youngest to recite the Four Questions, which he does perfectly, which is less impressive than it might seem when you remember that he’s 23. Read Haggadah. Eat festive meal. Welcome Elijah. Ignore Cousin Eric.

1 day after: Vow never to do this again.

Sammy Davis Jr., a piano owned by Shlomo Carlebach and a Judaica collection owned by Alan Dershowitz.

Rivers, born Joan Molinsky in Brooklyn, died at 81 in September 2014 following complications from throat surgery. (JTA)

2 days after: Agree to do this again next year.

Passover Seder slated for seniors at Simon Family JCC Wednesday, April 5, pm

summer

Academics • Adventure • Sports • Drama, Music, Art • Engineering and Robotics • Crafts Adventures abound this summer for children and teens across Tidewater.

• Camps for every interest

• Bus transportation included

• Daily swim in our indoor pool

• Extended care available before and after camp

T

at the Academy • Skilled camp directors and caring counselors

he annual mini seder for seniors will be led this year by Cantor Elihu Flax and Rabbi Michael Panitz. Complete with a chicken lunch, matzah ball soup, geflite fish, and other Passover goodies, this luncheon will also feature the music of Cantor Flax on piano.

Open to all with advanced ticket purchase, the event is made possible by the generous support of the Joseph Fleichman Memorial Fund.

For more information and to reserve a seat, visit or call the JCC front desk at 757-321-2338.

Be a part of Beth Sholom Village Family

As we celebrate Passover 2017 First & Second Seders led by Cantor Elihu Flax Monday, April 10 & Tuesday, April 11 6:30 - 8:30 pm Pincus Paul Social Hall

www.norfolkacademy.org/summer 757-461-1787

Visit our website today for a complete camp catalog and registration!

Where students grades 1-12 grow into responsible and responsive citizen-scholars.

Drive I Norfolk, • Virginia 23502 Academics 1585 • Wesleyan Adventure Sports • Crafts Drama, Music, Art • Engineering and Robotics

Adventures abound this summer for children and teens across Tidewater.

• Camps for every interest, grades K–9 • Bus transportation included • Daily swim in our indoor pool • Extended care available • Skilled camp directors and caring counselors

Family Style Dining First night: Brisket & Israeli Chicken Second Night: Roasted Turkey & Stuffed Flounder Afikomen and Prizes Reservations Required by April 5, 2017* No Charge for Residents of BSV Cost per adult $30; per child 6 and above $15 * Payments will not be accepted at time of event. Pre-payment only. Credit cards accepted over the phone.

To reserve a seat, please email kamuial@bethsholomvillage.com or call 757-420-2512.

Visit www.norfolkacademy.org/summer for a complete camp catalog and registration!

1585 Wesleyan Drive | Norfolk, Virginia 23502 | 757-461-1787

For additional information, call Kari Amuial, Mon-Fri, 8 am - 4 pm at 757-420-2512

Where students grades 1-12 grow into responsible and responsive citizen-scholars. jewishnewsva.org | April 3, 2017 | Passover | Jewish News | 21

Passover

A time to celebrate family, friends, and freedom

Passover Ten easy tips to avoid a boring seder Rebecca Rosenthal

(Kveller via JTA)—If your Passover seder is anything like mine, it can resemble the world’s most difficult classroom: different ages, ranging from three to 93, and varying levels of interest. Some want to read and discuss every word in the Haggadah, some just want to get to the food—and everything in between.

Designing a seder that can work for everyone can feel like a challenge for even the most seasoned educator, let alone a busy parent.

But there is magic in the seder. Having loved ones around a table together can feel like a luxury in this day and age, so here are some tips for making the most of the festive meal.

I hope these ideas will inspire you to be creative in a way that feels authentic to your seder.

The seder’s purpose is to get people to ask questions, so the more you break the mold of the way you have always done it, the more likely you and your guests will be able to access the true meaning of the holiday.

Here are 10 tips to perk up your seder this year.

theme, there are fun ways you can incorporate food into the heart of the seder. One friend of ours attaches the parsley to mini fishing rods and uses them to dip the parsley in the salt water. Another friend chops up lots of fruits and nuts (and even some chocolate) and allows the guests to make their own charoset, as long as it resembles the mortar. When it comes time to remember the plague of hail, I have heard of families throwing mini marshmallows at one another. Finally, there is a Persian custom of lightly (or not so lightly) slapping your neighbor with scallions during the song “Dayenu” as a reminder of slavery.

Try

to find a

balance between

3. Use the table. Put something interesting on the table, either in the middle or at each individual plate. We have used different kinds of frogs, puppets, and masks. Perhaps it will inspire a guest to ask a question about Passover, the story or the traditions of your family. At the very least it will entertain those at the table when they need a break.

preparing for the

seder and obsessing about every detail.

Southside Chapel 757 422-4000

Maestas Chapel 757 428-1112

Chesapeake Chapel 757 482-3311

Play #W I T H I S R A E L 4.30.17

1. Put out some food earlier. Food is always important in Jewish events and never more so than in the seder. It can feel like a long time until you get to dinner, but after karpas (the green vegetable that comes right at the beginning), you can serve appetizers. Veggies and dip or fruit are good healthy options, but my family also puts out candy, which keeps the kids busy for a little while. If you want to be thematic, there is fair-trade, slavery-free chocolate that is kosher for Passover.

SimonFamilyJCC.org

2. Play with your food. Along the same

22 | Jewish News | Passover | April 3, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

4. Don’t be a slave to the Haggadah.

The Haggadah is meant as a guide, and you don’t have to read every word to fulfill your obligation to tell the story. Get many different Haggadahs and look for readings and retellings that speak to you and share those at the seder. Or get the kids to write a play about the Passover story and perform it. Or ask your guests to bring something that represents freedom and tell the story of why. As long as your guests are engaged in the story of slavery to freedom, you have done your job.

5. Move around. This is the story of a wandering people. If you have the space, then wander! Do one piece of the seder in the living room, one in the dining

Happy Passover

Harry L. Delyannis

757-425-3272 • harry@hldlandscaping.com

Ask about our 11 MOWING of the season FREE!!! th

New customers only with signed contract.

Expires July 1st, 2017

There are tons of songs for kids and adults for Passover.

room, or even go outside if the weather is nice. Turn a few bed sheets into the sea and walk through it on your way to the Promised Land. Give your guests a chance to be in the story, not just talk about it.

6. Assign homework. People always do better if they are prepared, so ask your guests to participate in the seder. Send a question in advance, ask them to bring something or even make decorations for the seder table. Guests, bring a reading or an object that speaks to you. I guarantee your host will appreciate not having to carry the weight of the entire evening.

7. Give everyone a job. Before the seder, make a list of everything that has to be done during the evening, from pouring the wine to serving the soup to clearing the table. Then, assign away. You guests will be happy to help, and you will be happier if you come out of the seder not feeling enslaved.

8. Sing (or watch videos). There are tons of songs for kids and adults alike for Passover. Google around to find tunes or songs that you like and teach them at your seder. Providing song sheets helps everyone sing along. And if singing is not your thing, a quick search on YouTube for Passover song parodies turns up videos that would be fun to watch before or

during the seder.

9. Make something. When I was about 10 years old, I spent hours creating a chart that outlined the order of the seder. I made a small arrow that could be used to show where we were in the progression of the evening, and since then it has been used every year. My mother still brings out Elijah’s cups that my sisters and I made in Hebrew school, and my kids proudly show off their seder plates, kiddush cups, and matzah covers. If your kids don’t make them in school or Hebrew school, these are easy crafts to make at home.

10. Let loose. The point of the seder is to engage people in the questions, both ancient and contemporary, of slavery and freedom. The way you do that is up to you. Try to find a balance between preparing for the seder and obsessing about every detail. And if your kids run screaming circles around the table while everyone else is trying to talk, as mine have done on more than one occasion, those are memories, too. Don’t beat yourself up about it.

Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal is the director of youth and family education at Central Synagogue in New York City. Rosenthal and her husband live in the city with their three children.

• Mowing • Turf Applications • Seeding • Hand Pruning

• Mulching • Container Garden • Seasonal Color • Mosquito Control

HLD Landscaping, Inc. is a full service landscaping company that has been serving the Hampton Roads area for over 25 years.

• Landscape Design • Hourly Consultations • Hardscapes • Landscape Lighting • Weed Control

• Fertlization • Sodding • Irrigation • Drainage • Tree Service

RESIDENTIAL • CUSTOM DESIGN COMMERCIAL

For the Discerning Critic of Fine Gardening CONTACT US AT (757) 425-3272 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.hldlandscaping.com

jewishnewsva.org | April 3, 2017 | Passover | Jewish News | 23

Passover Seven new kids’ books for Passover, from seder guides to stories Penny Schwartz

Wishing you peace and happiness at Passover 1620 Laskin Road Virginia Beach, 757/425-2900 806 Spotswood Avenue Norfolk, 757/627-4262 www.nofrillgrill.com

24 | Jewish News | Passover | April 3, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

( JTA)—From the wizardry of Harry Potter that echoes with Passover’s themes to a cartoon frog who wisecracks his way through the seder, this year’s new crop of Passover books for kids offers something for all ages and interests.

The selection of fresh reads, including two family-friendly Haggadahs, also includes an unusual Jewish immigrant tale set in rural Argentina and a heartwarming, intergenerational story about an aging grandfather and his devoted granddaughter.

Choose one—or several—to educate and engage the young readers in your family for this Passover, the eight-day festival of freedom that begins with the first seder on the evening of April 10.

The (unofficial) Hogwarts Haggadah Moshe Rosenberg; designed by Aviva Shur All ages; $27.95 ans of Harry Potter will be in Hogwarts heaven this Passover.

Moshe Rosenberg’s Haggadah draws on the parallels between the wizardry of the best-selling Harry Potter books and the seder guide.

“From the concepts of slavery and freedom, to the focus on education, to the

F

number four, Harry Potter and Passover share almost everything,” Rosenberg writes in the introduction.

This is the second Jewish Harry Potterthemed book by Rosenberg, a rabbi and Judaic studies educator in New York. (The first was Morality for Muggles: Ethics in the Bible and the World of Harry Potter.)

Traditionalists, take note: Rosenberg assures readers that every word of traditional Haggadah text, in Hebrew and in English translation, is included.

Interspersed throughout is commentary, via the lens of J.K. Rowling’s characters, that takes on questions of freedom, evil, and the Four Children. There’s even a Harry Potter-themed version of the popular seder song Had Gadya, (One Small Goat).

The Family (and Frog!) Haggadah Rabbi Ron Isaacs and Karen Rostoker-Gruber; illustrations by Jackie Urbanovic Behrman House; all ages; $7.95 wisecracking frog takes center stage in this kid-friendly Haggadah that is a complete guide to a fun-filled, informative, abbreviated seder that’s designed to be 30 minutes to an hour. The lively Haggadah, filled with photographs and illustrations, begins with a seder checklist and candle-lighting prayers and guides families through the mainstays

A

Why Passover this great time for new Eyewear?

Passover

Celebrating 45 years!

of the seder, from the Passover story, to the Ten Plagues to welcoming Elijah the Prophet. Songs go from the traditional favorite Dayenu to Take Me Out to the Seder. An entertaining cartoon frog appears throughout with jokes and funny comments (“Hold on! I brought my hopmonica!”) that are sure to bring giggles and keep kids engaged.

Passover Scavenger Hunt Shanna Silva, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto Kar-Ben; ages 4–9; $17.99 hardcover, $7.99 paperback very year at the seder, Rachel’s Uncle Harry hides the afikomen. The kids have fun hunting for the special piece of matzah and get a prize for finding it. But there’s one problem: Uncle Harry always makes it too easy! In Shanna Silva’s lively story, Rachel takes over the job. She grabs her markers, scissors, and a big piece of cardboard and creates a clever scavenger hunt with six rhyming clues to stump her cousins. Each clue reveals something related to the seder, from the charoset to the shank bone. In the end, the kids are left with a puzzle to solve that will lead them to Rachel’s perfect afikomen hiding place.

Miki Sakamoto’s illustrations are bright and colorful and capture the fun as kids move picture frames, race around the house and crawl around closets looking for clues.

E

The Mosaica Haggadah: Inspired by Bright Kids Rabbi Sender and Chamie Haber Mosaica Press, 2017 Why is this Haggadah different from all other Haggadahs?

Join Rabbi Sender and Chamie Haber of B’nai Israel and their charming family at their Pesach Seder—and

(Longer than our people were in the desert)

experience this special night with this most special educational Haggadah.

Based on more than a decade of teaching the Haggdah to students aged 8-13, unique features include: • Real questions and insightful of dozens of bright and engaging students.

• Fascinating and meaningful short explanations.

• Yocheved Nadell’s delightful contemporary illustrations based on the Haber family.

• Laminated pages for easy use at the Seder table for many years.

Handing down the story each year at the Pesach Seder transcends generations. The Mosaica Haggadah will make sure each Passover is entertaining, interesting and unforgettable.

Available on mosaicapress.com or by contacting Rabbi Haber at rsh@bnaiisrael.org.

ilbert Eyecare excellence in eyewear

Eyecare NORFOLK

www.GilbertEyecare.com

220 W. Brambleton • 757-622-0200

The Passover Cowboy Barbara Diamond Goldin, illustrated by Gina Capaldi Apples and Honey Press; ages 4–8; $17.95 rom the acclaimed Jewish children’s book writer Barbara Diamond Goldin

F

continued on page 26

Full scope eyecare including Pediatric Optometry

VIRGINIA BEACH

1547 Laskin Road • 757-425-0200

celebrate # W I T H I S R A E L

4.30.17

SimonFamilyJCC.org jewishnewsva.org | April 3, 2017 | Passover | Jewish News | 25

Passover continued from page 25

(The Best Hanukkah Ever, Journeys With Elijah) comes an unlikely Passover story set in the Argentine countryside in the late 1800s. Jacob is a young Jewish boy whose Russian family immigrated to Argentina, but he doesn’t quite fit in. He makes a new friend, Benito, who helps him learn to ride horseback. Jacob works up the courage to invite his non-Jewish pal to his family’s seder, but Benito says he has farm chores to do. Still, Benito ends up coming after all, at just the right moment: when Jacob opens the door to welcome Elijah, just as a flock of chickens arrive, too. Benito helps round up the chickens and joins the seder.

As the family welcomes its new friend, they learn from each other about the meaning of freedom—and Jacob’s mother and Benito also surprise him with a lasso and clothing he needs for an upcoming rodeo.

Artist Gina Capaldi puts readers right in the action; kids will feel as if they are riding along on horseback with Jacob and

Benito, and they’ll feel part of the family’s seder. An author’s note explains that in the 1880s, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe arrived in Argentina. Goldin also poses a timely discussion question that asks families to imagine what it would be like to move to a new country.

How It’s Made: Matzah Allison Ofanansky, photographs by Aliyahu Alpern Apples & Honey Press; ages 5–8; $15.95 ids get an up-close look at how matzah is made in this fascinating new book overflowing with stunning color photographs that bring to life small-batch, handmade matzah-making to factories that bake 35,000 pieces of matzah every day. Kids see the spiked rolling tool used to make the tiny holes in the matzah and get a peek inside the very hot ovens required for baking. Captions and explanatory text are informative but simple, making the photographs the stars of a wonderful book that will appeal both to kids and grownups. There are several Do It Yourself recipes and craft projects, including baking matzah, making a matzah cover, and growing the greens for karpas, the symbolic vegetable eaten during the seder.

K

Sammy Spider’s Passover Shapes Sylvia A. Rouss; illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn Kar-Ben; ages 1–4; $5.99 board book The ever-popular Sammy Spider—now in his 24th year—is back! Passover Shapes is the second Sammy Spider board book that is geared for toddlers. In this brightly illustrated tale, the young spider celebrates the holiday with his human friend, Josh Shapiro. Little ones will learn about Passover as well as basic shapes.

Delicious Delivery Past Passover...

Delicious Delivery for Every Occasion Ready.

Set. Bagel. for Every Occasion 1.800.BAGEL.ME •• EBCATERING. EBCATERING.COM COM 1.800.BAGEL.ME • EBCATERING.COM

1148 757.410.3646 1148 Volvo Volvo Pkwy.

1148 Volvo Pkwy. •• Chesapeake, Chesapeake, VA VA 23320 23320 •• 757.410.3646 757.410.3646 FRANCHISE FRANCHISE LOCATION LOCATION •• LOCALLY LOCALLY OWNED OWNED && OPERATED OPERATED 26 | Jewish News | Passover | April 3, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org