THE MAKING OF A SEDER JEWISH FAMILIES GATHER AT PASSOVER TABLES.Byline: Amy Raisin raisin, in botany and cooking raisin, dried fruit of certain varieties of grapevines bearing grapes with a high content of sugar and solid flesh. Although the fruit is sometimes artificially dehydrated, it is usually sun-dried. Staff Writer NEWHALL - Holding his young daughter as his kitchen bustled with preparations for 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). , Rabbi Choni Marozov, head of Chabad of Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. , explained the lasting power of the Jewish feast, one that his ancestors Ancestors See also father; heredity; mother; origins; parents; race. archaism an inclination toward old-fashioned things, speech, or actions, especially those of one’s ancestors. Also archaicism. — archaist, n. began more than 3,200 years ago. Commemorating the birth of the Jewish nation, Jews around the world celebrate and re-create the Exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, telling stories, singing songs and preparing a symbolic Seder plate. ``Everything we do (on Passover) has a significance. The word Seder actually means order,'' said Marozov, who in his 2 1/2 years in the area has witnessed a steady growth in the Jewish population. Surrounded by his wife, children and in-laws, Marozov stood in his kitchen as apples were peeled and explained the significance of the fruit to the Seder plate. ``It is for the charoset, which is made of apples, pears, wine and nuts. It symbolizes the mortar that the Jews used to build for the Egyptians,'' he said. Also included on the plate is a roasted shank shank (shangk) 1. leg (1). 2. crus ( 2). shank n. The part of the human leg between the knee and ankle. bone, symbolic of the Paschal lamb historically offered as the Passover sacrifice, and a hard-boiled egg, which Marozov likened to strength in suffering. ``The longer you boil an egg, the harder it becomes,'' he said. ``The longer Jews were afflicted af·flict tr.v. af·flict·ed, af·flict·ing, af·flicts To inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on. [Middle English afflighten, from afflight, , the stronger they became.'' Bitter herbs such as 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. symbolize the bitter times of the Jews in Egypt, while a vegetable such as an onion or parsley is dipped in saltwater, a tribute to the tears the Jews cried. In order to observe Saturday's Sabbath, or day of rest, the meal preparations were completed by Friday, Marozov said. His niece, 15-year-old Hindy Deitsch, said the holiday is one of great family unity. ``We learn in school that when the Jews went out of Egypt they went as families,'' Deitsch said. ``Now, we all sit down and remember these stories as families.'' Marozov said his temple often serves 200 to 300 people, some of which he and his family welcomed Saturday night for a Passover feast. ``It's definitely a family holiday,'' he said. ``We all left Egypt as families.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Tzippy Deitsch, right, washes lettuce for Passover. Behind her, are, from left, Shalom sha·lom interj. Used as a traditional Jewish greeting or farewell. [Hebrew  , Chanoch and Musiki Deitsch. (2 -- color) Rabbi Choni Marozov surveys the Passover table with his 2-year-old daughter Mirel. David R. Crane/Staff Photographer |
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