Spirituality

HOL

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that one day the girls will use the towels in
their own homes:' Strip says.
For many children, finding the
Afikomen is a highlight of the holiday
because of its deep religious significance.
Okay, religion has nothing to do with it. It's
all the about the treats.
Wendy Strip's home is a good place
for treats, which have included books
and packets of environmentally friendly
goodies. "When I was young, I always got
a silver dollar" for finding the Afikomen,
Strip recalls.
When Lexie and Eden were younger,
Strip's Afikomen event often included a
photo scavenger hunt. She took pictures
of objects around the home, each of which
led to the next stop, and finally ended with
a cool prize. The one rule: all the children
had to stick together on the hunt. This
game gave children the chance to get up
and move a bit, "while the adults could
enjoy a cup of coffee Strip says.
The family loves telling the Exodus
story with their collection of Passover
puppets (everyone at the table has a role,
from being Moses to throwing bits of
hail), singing favorite silly songs and read-
ing a beloved story: "Only Nine Chairs."
Strip also makes it a point to find a
single, unforgettable aspect of the holiday,
and discusses it with her girls. While in
Wendy Strip and her daughters, Eden Sittsamer, 13, and Lexie Sittsamer, 16 of Farmington Hills get ready for Passover.
Israel recently, Strip visited Yad Vashem
in Jerusalem and took photos of trees
planted in honor of Righteous Gentiles,
including a group from Belgium. "I want
to take time to talk about our family's
story of freedom and to remember that in
the most terrible times, there are people
who do good." (Strip's uncle survived the
Holocaust after he was taken in by nuns
and hidden in a Belgian convent.)
The night approaches.
Strip will set down a purple tablecloth
"I
tried
to
duplicate
that
dessert
once
ing a huge crowd will be gone, but none of
Elizabeth Applebaum
and
top it with candlesticks owned by her
Strip
says
wistfully.
"I
failed
miserably."
the fun. Because not only does Strip have
Special to the Jewish News
great-grandparents,
along with a seder
Strip's
own
seder
table
includes
a
deli-
a sense of humor, she also has a sense of
plate
she
and
Lexie
made
at Adat Shalom
cious
collection
of
interesting
foods
like
style and creativity that she brings to each
hen Wendy Strip hosted her
Synagogue
in
Farmington
Hills, where
banana
kugel
and
cookies
that
guests
first family seder, she decided holiday celebration.
the
family
belongs.
Often,
this
plate will
cannot
believe
are
actually
kosher-for-
It's a tradition that began with her
to make it big.
be
topped
with
a
bit
of
parsley
the Strips
Passover,
as
well
as
games
and
fun.
grandparents. A native of Ohio, Strip's
First, she did the research. Cooking for 27
planted
on
Tu
b'Shevat.
"We
always
ask
guests
to
sign
the
inside
— that was how many guests she had brave- family observed Passover with Wendy's
She'll set out glass plates, with a slight
grandparents, who lived in the small town of a Haggadah so we can remember who
ly invited — would be virtually no different
pink
tint. And then the piece de resistance:
came
Strip
says.
Even
the
tiniest
guests
than cooking for just a handful of friends, all of Fremont.
a
centerpiece
made of a flower vase hid-
are
included.
"Their home was always filled with peo-
the happy hostess books assured her.
den
inside
three
pieces of matzah tied
"My
kids
get
a
kick
out
of
seeing
how
ple Strip remembers. "My grandmother
"So I invited 27:' Strip says now —
together
with
a
piece
of lovely ribbon.
they
scrawled
their
names
across
the
page
was a wonderful cook and a wonderful
looking calm, but perhaps not unscarred
Inside
are
Wendy's
favorites:
tulips.
when
they
were
younger:'
Strip
says.
entertainer. She invited Jewish residents
by the memories of all that food prepa-
Now
all
that's
needed
is
the
guests to
Then
the
writing
became
a
more
fanci-
from all around the area [for Passover]; 40
ration — "and I haven't done it since.
000hh
and
ahh.
ful,
if
large,
script.
guests was typical.
Whoever came up with that 'Cooking for
Wendy's brother, Michael, is certain to
Strip also preserves memories by hav-
"Her dining room would be filled with
28 is the same as cooking for 8' is either
be
the first.
ing
both
Lexie
and
Eden
dip
their
hands
table after table and she always made
lying or had a lot of help."
And
isn't it wonderful to know that little
in
permanent,
purple
fabric
paint,
then
capon
and
roast
beef.
She
also
made
a
des-
This year, Strip, who is divorced and
brothers
never change, no matter how old
leave
a
palm
print
on
a
towel.
Over
the
sert
that
looked
like
a
giant
chocolate
cake
lives in Farmington Hills with daughters
they
are?
years,
the
towel,
which
guests
use
when
filled with what must have been a pareve
Lexie Sittsamer, 16, and Eden Sittsamer,
"I can't believe you got tulips!" Michael
washing before eating matzah, has told the
whipped cream. When my brother first
12, has invited a few close friends and
says,
every time. "I hate tulips!" ❑
story
of
two
girls
growing
up.
"My
plan
is
saw
it,
he
called:
'Look!
It's
a
giant
Ho-Ho!'
family. So the work that comes with hav-

Happy Holiday Home

The Strip family celebrates Pesach with fun,
great food and traditions.

W

Holiday Home on page 38

March 25 . 2010

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