EARLY START OF PASSOVER FOR KIDS IN VALLEY FESTIVAL OF FREEDOM TO BEGIN.Byline: HOLLY J. ANDRES Staff Writer Jews in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. and around the world will gather at sundown today for the start of Passover, the Festival of Freedom marked with a ritual meal or Seder. Passover marks the freedom and flight of the Israelites from Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II Ramses II known as Ramses the Great (flourished 13th century BC) King of ancient Egypt, 1279–13 BC. His family came to power some decades after the reign of Akhenaton. more than 3,000 years ago. The observance includes a Seder on the first two nights, when symbolic foods are served and the Haggadah is read, recounting the story of the Exodus. "Passover is the root narrative of Judaism," said Rabbi rabbi [Heb.,=my master; my teacher], the title of a Jewish spiritual leader. The role of the rabbi has undergone a number of transformations. In the Talmudic period, rabbis were primarily teachers and interpreters of the Torah. Harold Schulweis from Valley Beth Shalom Valley Beth Shalom is a Conservative Synagogue in Encino, Los Angeles, California. With over 1,800 member families[1] it is one of the largest synagogues in Los Angeles and one of the largest Conservative synagogues in the United States. in Encino. "It's especially important today because religion must be based on freedom of choice. Passover is a reminder of the many ways we are enslaved Enslaved may refer to:
Schulweis said he looks forward to the part of the Seder when a bitter herb - typically horseradish horseradish Hardy perennial plant (Armoracia lapathifolia) of the mustard family, native to Mediterranean lands and grown throughout the temperate zones. Its hotly pungent, fleshy root is used as a condiment and is traditionally considered medicinal. - is eaten. The experience reminds him of his childhood, when his grandfather told him the bitter herb allows those at the Seder to feel with their whole being what it was like to be enslaved. "People think that it's natural to want freedom, but it's not innate," Schulweis said. "Passover is a reminder that you have to fight against that inclination to be subservient sub·ser·vi·ent adj. 1. Subordinate in capacity or function. 2. Obsequious; servile. 3. Useful as a means or an instrument; serving to promote an end. . You shall be independent, not enslaved." Participants at Seder use a guide book called a Haggadah. Each person is given a Haggadah in order to actively participate in reciting blessings, eating the symbolic foods and drinking four cups of wine, reading and discussing themes of freedom and singing traditional Seder songs. "Passover is the season of our freedom. Redemption is, to me, the most important part. On many levels, what you are today is not what you may be tomorrow. You can have an addiction and tomorrow you can change your life," said Cantor Paul Dorman from Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge, who led a Seder on Tuesday for children at the temple's religious school. "The original holiday was about spring and renewal. You can use the ability to be what you want to be in life, and, how beautiful that is. I told the children to remember all the opportunities that they can have because they are free." holly.andres@dailynews.com (818) 713-3708 CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) Mom Loren Ethington, daughter Lola, 3, center, and son Joey Putterlik, 12, sing along as some 200 children and parents celebrate Tuesday during Temple Ramat Zion's annual preschool Passover Sedar in Northridge. (2) Micah Schachet-Briskin, 3, toasts with grape juice Tuesday during Temple Ramat Zion's annual Passover Seder The Passover Seder (Hebrew: סֵדֶר, seðɛɾ, "order", "arrangement") is a Jewish ritual feast held on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover (the 15th day of Hebrew month of Nisan). . (3) Lara Duvison, 3, puts on her yarmulke Tuesday during the Temple Ramat Zion's annual preschool Passover Sedar. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion