March 18, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

AREA CENTER OFFERS
INTERACTIVE PASSOVER SEDER

The Communal Passover Seder Offers Interactive Participation

 

 

The Jewish Discovery Center, the area’s “Center for Jewish Life,” will hold a highly interactive Communal Passover Seder that will allow families and children to participate and contribute rather than passively listen to the holiday story.

 

Scheduled to take place from 7 to 11 p.m., Thursday, April 9, the Seder will include many props to bring the story to life and to keep children engaged and interested, said Rabbi Yosef Kalmanson, the center's executive director.

 

“This will allow for the theme to remain relevant and for the messages of Passover to be meaningful,” Kalmanson said.  “It is in keeping with the [Jewish Discovery] Center’s philosophy of providing programming that makes our ancient heritage relevant to modern living.”

 

Highlights of the Seder will also include hand-made round Matzot that will be served, lively singing, stories, a sprinkling of mystical-yet-relevant insights and a children's program.

 

The Seder's menu features a catered traditional meal, including gefilte fish, salads, matzah ball soup, chicken, side dishes and desserts.

 

Passover is one of Judaism's most popular holidays because it commemorates the birth of the Jewish nation and celebrates true freedom, Kalmanson said.

 

“It is a great time for families to get together and celebrate our Jewish heritage,” he said.

 

This year will mark the Discovery Center's third Passover at their modern facility and its first in their new Social and Lecture Hall.  With over 100 people participating last year the center anticipates an increase this year.

 

Kalmanson said Passover is a celebration of spiritual and religious freedom, as well as physical liberation.  “This holiday is very precious because it is a time for cultural celebration, family gatherings and wonderful holiday traditions. It is also a time to reflect and unhook ourselves from being subjugated to our basic instincts, habits and inclinations.”

 

Before April 1, cost for the meal is $24 per adult and $14 per child. After April 1, it's $34 per adult and $24 per child.

 

No one will be turned down due to lack of funds. However, space is limited, so an early RSVP is suggested online at www.JDiscovery.com.

 

The center, which serves the entire Jewish community in Butler, Warren and northern Hamilton counties, has rolled out a host of additional programming to capture the essence of the holiday. A revolutionary “Passover Family Experience” premiers the region’s only interactive museum on Passover, featuring experiential displays for hands-on learning about the history and traditions of the holiday (Apr. 1); their popular pre-holiday crash course will cover the basics of Passover and meaning behind its traditions (Apr. 6); a “Climb Higher” Class will share insights into the true definition of freedom according to ancient traditions (Apr. 6); a “Sun Blessing” Ceremony marks the once-in-28-year opportunity to witness the sun reverting its course to the place it began at the time of creation (Apr. 8); the area’s only “Burn your Bread” ceremony offers an opportunity to rid the Chametz leaven from one’s possession (Apr. 8); and the Passover Bowl, will bring Jewish families together to celebrate in a fun environment (Apr. 12).

 

The entire community is welcome to attend these events.

 

For more information or to receive a Passover ‘How-To Guide,’ call 513.234.0777 or email [email protected].

 

To learn more about Passover, the Holiday of Freedom, and local events to celebrate the holiday, visit JDiscovery.com.