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

