MARCH 28 • 2024 | 19
director of communications at
Temple Beth El, echoes Stryk’s
sentiment that “this year,
more than ever, may we come
to realize the ancient call for
peace and fulfillment, and the
freedom of our people … Next
year in Jerusalem!
“Passover is the most-cel-
ebrated holiday across the
American Jewish community,
”
Weber asserts. “Our mission is
to share the joy of our people’s
foundational narrative through
special foods, songs and cus-
toms. Each seder, anchored in
the theme of freedom, trans-
forms into a vibrant celebration
of our shared history.
”
There’s plenty of room for
individual participation at
most communal seders. At
Temple Shir Shalom, Rabbi
Daniel Schwartz describes a
festive atmosphere with each
table taking turns sending
representatives to read at the
microphone, and games and
activities sprinkled throughout
the seder.
Representatives from all
synagogues hosting communal
seders are quick to say that
this event should not replace
a seder in individual homes,
which is why it’s offered only
one of the two nights that
Diaspora Jews typically cele-
brate.
At Temple Israel,
participants fill the
Herman Hall and
tables are arranged
to fit groups that
come together,
says Rabbi Marla
Hornsten.
“Passover is a
home-based holiday, and a
lot of times people don’t have
that opportunity in their own
homes,” she says. “
A lot of
people have chosen Judaism or
may not have family to create
seder with. [For the communal
seder,] you don’t have to do
anything — just show up.
“This is a priority for our
community,
” she adds. “We
want to make sure people have
a place to celebrate.
”
Like Beth Ahm, Temple
Israel’s communal seder is open
to the entire Jewish communi-
ty. Also, Temple Israel invites
JARC and Kadima members to
participate, Hornsten says.
At Temple Shir Shalom, the
communal seder is for mem-
bers and their guests. There
are games and activities, with
a scene from Egypt construct-
ed in the entrance and a river
down the middle of the social
hall where children can build
“baby Moses baskets” and race
them, says Rabbi
Schwartz. “We
offer creative ways
to engage people
and tell the story
of Passover.
” JARC
members are also
invited to attend.
Faye Wolf, a
West Bloomfield resident and
Beth Ahm member, loves her
synagogue’s communal seder.
She usually attends with some
of her adult children plus her
brother and cousins and any
family that come in from out-
of-town for the holiday. They
all sit together and continue the
conversations started at shul
the next night at their family
seder in the home.
“I love Beth Ahm’s Passover
seder,
” she says. “It’s a great
way to celebrate with family
without the stress of hosting
a large numbrt of people.
Rabbi Rubenstein always
brings something new and
thought-provoking for our dis-
cussions. And it’s always a plea-
sure to see our congregational
extended family celebrating
together.
”
David Stryk says he’s “always
enjoyed leading seders” with
his brother and brothers-in-
law. “We come up with con-
versations and take the idea of
‘teaching the kids’ to heart.
”
Attending a communal seder
one night and celebrating at
home another night “is the best
of both worlds,
” he says. “Plus,
frankly, it’s nice not to have to
clean up for two nights in a
row.
”
Communal Passover Seders 2024
Congregation Beth Ahm
Open to the public
First night, April 22, 6:30-9 pm
Registration required by April 9
www.cbahm.org/event/passoverseder2024
Temple Israel
Open to the public
Second night, April 23, 5:30-8:30 pm
Registration required by April 5
www.temple-israel.org/event/Seder2024
Temple Shir Shalom
For members and guests
Second night, April 23, 6-8:30 pm
Registration required by April 15
www.shirshalom.org/event/passover-seder
Temple Beth El
Second night, April 23, 6-9:30 pm
For more information, www.tbeonline.org
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
For members
For details, contact Elise Gechter, (248) 357-5544
Congregation Shir Tikvah
Second night, April 23, 5-8 pm
www.shirtikvah.org/event/2nd-seder-at-cst.html
Rabbi
Daniel
Schwartz
Rabbi
Marla
Hornsten
Congregation
Beth Ahm