/ Pa SSovEr

All In The Family

Elizabeth Applebaum
AppleTree Editor

F

or Sydney Weinstein and Ira
Auslander, it just wouldn't be
Pesach without the av\r-ul food
and the less-than-melodious singing
of Henry Auslander.
"He can't carry a tune," Sydney
Weinstein says of his uncle

Henry, the longtime leader of the
Auslander family seder. "And we
love it that way.
"But if you put that in the story, be
sure to say Ira said it."
More than 40 years ago Henry
Auslander, along with his sisters
Rose Plotnik (Sydney's mother) and
Freida Bizer, began a tradition. The

Take It From Us...

Ira and Sydney Auslander
offer a few tips for a great family seder:

Looking forward to
their family seder are,
from left to right,
back row: Michael
Weinstein, Ira Auslander -
and Marvin VVeinstein:
front row: Sydney and
Judith Weinstein.

The.Auslander seder brings

tocether more than 150 cousins
and siblings, great-Grandparents
and Grandchildren, parents and
aunts and unc es who cone from
as far as Texas anc \ew York.
So why c o they on y
Canacian
get

. Involve the children instead of simply expecting them to sit still. "In
our family, the adults have always tried to make it fun and interesting
for the kids,' Ira Auslander says. "And be patient with them," he says,
adding that Auslander family seders where few young children were
present "weren't as much fun. Another generation makes it more excit-
ing. ,

2. Photocopy and distribute material. In addition to reading from the
Union Haggadah, the Auslander clan has favorite family readings and
songs, such as a snappy number "that has something about sitting on
the afikornen," Ira says. Be sure to have a copy of any special materi-
al for every guest.
3. Have fun getting spiFy for the big event. Sydney describes himself
as being a casual dresser, but not on this night. "The men all wear
suits and the women wear nice clothing," he says. "Everybody looks
forward to getting dressed up."
4. Make it clear that everyone in the family is invited. Although tradi-
tionally the Auslander seder has beer an event for first cousins (chil-
dren of the founding three siblings) and their offspring, this year's event
also will include the second cousins. "Everyone has always known that
if he wants, he can come," says Sydney.
5. Involve all the children in finding the afikomen. At the Auslander
seder, every child goes in search and whoever finds it must share a bit
of the afikomen with the others. The prize? "A bag of candy and a
gold coin that isn't really gold," Ira says. "Until five years ago —envy
gave out silver dollars, but now ifs a Canadian coin ..."
Canadian? Ira chuckles sheepishly. "Well, maybe we should start
saying, 'Next year in Toronto."'

for fincing t ne cfko en?

3/26
1999

Detroit Jewish News

73