HOLIDAY BRINGS FAITHS TOGETHER CLERGYMEN TO DISCUSS EASTER, PASSOVER QUESTIONS.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

RESEDA - Sherry Dollins buys boxes of matzo and puts away her leavened-bread products as she prepares to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. She brings the hard-boiled eggs that will be served at a friend's Seder.

What, if any, are the religious reasons for eating matzo and hard-boiled eggs at a Passover Seder? And what do bunnies and colored eggs have to do with the message of Easter?

These are among the questions that will be answered Tuesday at an interfaith ``Passover-Easter Study-In'' at Valley Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Reseda.

``I think people are intrigued by all the details of Passover, like getting the house ready by getting the bread out of the house or opening the front door for the prophet Elijah during the Seder,'' said Rabbi David Vorspan of Congregation Shir Ami in Woodland Hills. ``There are many things we do during the Seder that many people don't know why we do them. Some of them may even seem kind of silly.''

Silly or serious, Vorspan and the Rev. Lynn Cory of Valley Vineyard Christian Fellowship will expose the myths and address the rituals of their respective holidays. Their ability to talk candidly and with respect for the other's faith has resulted in an unusual bond between their Jewish and Christian congregations.

The two are friends and have participated in joint Thanksgiving services for many years.

``This time we thought we'd try something different,'' said Vorspan. ``The people at the Valley Vineyard know Passover as Jesus' Last Supper, and there is a respect for Passover. My goals are that my congregation learns more about Easter and gain a deeper understanding of Passover.''

Dollins, a founding member and the co-executive vice president of Congregation Shir Ami, said Tuesday's event will have a different flavor than the entertaining Thanksgiving service that she has enjoyed.

``This is going to be different, more thought-provoking,'' Dollins said. ``What I've learned from the Thanksgiving services is that people can get along. They can share and still respect each other for the differences and the similarities.''

Cory will start his Easter presentation in the ``Upper Room'' where Jesus and his disciples met for a Passover Seder. Jesus outlined the basics for leading a Christian life during the Seder known as the Last Supper or the Lord's Supper.

``Easter's focus is on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter includes the Crucifixion, Jesus' burial And His Resurrection,'' said Cory who has been on the staff at Valley Vineyard since 1987.

``My goal is that people will understand the profound work of Christ on their behalf. I believe Christianity is indebted to Judaism, but I also believe there's a bigger picture that God has shown us.''

Holding up a matzo during his Easter talk, Cory will explain that the disciples in the ``Upper Room'' heard Jesus say that the unleavened bread was his body. The third Seder cup of wine represents the cup of redemption or the taking of mankind out of the bondage of sin.

Although Cory couldn't predict the questions that would be posed to him regarding Easter, he said that ``Why is Good Friday Good?'' will probably be asked.

``Good Friday refers to what was accomplished through the cross. The cross was the means for mankind to get right with God,'' Cory said. ``God sent the Messiah, Jesus, as a satisfaction for his wrath. Jesus took our place. As God came down and took Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, he came down and took us out of the bondage of sin. The beauty of it is, good was accomplished on the cross. Jesus not only died but after three days rose from the dead to give us new life.''

``Passover-Easter Study-In'' with the Rev. Lynn Cory and Rabbi David Vorspan will be held from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at Valley Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 6642 Reseda Blvd., Reseda. Call [phone].

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``Christianity is indebted to Judaism,'' says the Rev. Lynn Cory, right, whose friendship with the Rabbi David Vorspan has brought their congregations to share a rare bond.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer