“I LIKE INTRODUCING GUESTS
TO A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT,
AND OUR OTHER GUESTS
ARE WELCOMING.”
— CAROL MEYERS
continued from page 47
48 | APRIL 14 • 2022
guests to what she defines as a “low-key” observance.
“I like introducing guests to a different viewpoint, and our other
guests are welcoming. My cousin has the seder a lot of times and
will have outside people as well. The door is always open.
”
Gavron, who prepared by reading about the holiday in advance,
said she found it most interesting that each part of the meal had a
purpose.
“Carol and I had become so close that I felt like part of the fami-
ly,
” Gavron said. “Everybody knew I was not Jewish, and I never felt
out of place. My kids have had a lot of really close Jewish friends,
and I’ve gone to bar and bat mitzvahs. I’
d have their friends over for
Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner.
“I think more people should experience different religions and
different cultures. It’s important to understand that you can have
differences, but you can still be really good friends and understand
each other.
”
In Petoskey, there are community seders hosted by Temple B’nai
Israel, which counts 40 members year-round and 80 in the sum-
mer. Among returning guests are family members of Rev. Ryan
Donahoe, religious leader of the neighboring First Presbyterian
Church.
“He’s part of the interfaith group that our congrega-
tion is part of, and his church typically does a seder at
Easter that I help him with so I wanted to invite him
to our seder,
” said Val Meyerson, a librarian for the
Petoskey District Library, who is active with the temple
and the Anti-Defamation League Michigan.
“I want him to gain a stronger under-
standing of the Jewish traditions and a
connection to the Jewish community in
our area. We want to strengthen relation-
ships in the community, and some of our
temple members have participated in the
seder he’s had for church members.
”
Donahoe said his family looks forward
to the Passover meals.
“I see it as a learning opportunity,
” said Donahoe,
whose congregation numbers about 130. “For me, it’s
getting in touch with where my faith comes from. Even
as a Christian, our beginnings are in the Jewish faith,
and it’s very important to know our Jewish ancestry.
“Having the deepened meaning behind all the foods
is very helpful. My kids remember what they’re going to eat, and I
think it’s so wonderful.
”
Christopher Bremer has explored Jewish experiences during
21 years of staging religion-connected productions for the Jewish
Ensemble Theatre, but he had not experienced an
actual seder until Elaine Sturman invited his family.
“Celebrating with caring families was fabulous for
me and my family,
” Bremer said. “I was thrilled when
they included my daughters in reading from the
Haggadah, and my wife has since cooked matzah ball
soup [at the request of one of my daughters].
“I feel so lucky that board members and other con-
tacts have been so open and giving.
”
Carol Meyers and
Diane Gavron
Val
Meyerson
Christopher
Bremer
Ryan Donahoe and Family
PASSOVER