“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