Of all the Jewish holidays Pesach, or Passover, is the one most commonly observed, even by non-observant Jews. The holiday celebrates the exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery. This year Passover begins at sunset on Saturday, April 19. The Wood River Jewish Community will celebrate the holiday with a community Seder at 5:30 p.m. that evening at the Sun Valley Inn's Continental Room.
Taking place the first two nights of the eight-day holiday, the Seder is the singular event in the Passover celebration. Usually attended by family and friends, it is steeped in long-held traditions and customs performed as a set sequence of actions with passages from the Haggadah recited.
In Judaism, this telling of the flight from Egypt is its most powerful story. As the Jews escaped they went from the bitterness of slavery to the glory of freedom—all in one day. This duality is the gist of the Passover Seder.
Rabbi Barney Brickner will lead his first Seder since joining the congregation last summer. A third-generation rabbi, Brickner has led a life with a strong sense of purpose and identity. He recalls Seders with his father, Rabbi Balfour Brickner, who was director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations' national Commission on Interreligious Affairs and co-director of its national Commission on Social Action. Because his father was acquainted with so many people of other faiths, there were often many visitors.
"We always had at least two nuns at the table," Brickner said.
It is with that background in mind that Brickner hopes to enliven Passover this year—as a community event.
"The faith is rooted in not only a relationship with God but rooted in the community's faith in God," Brickner said. "It's a communal faith as well as a personal one. That sense of community and that awareness is inherent in the faith."
At the beginning of the service, the congregation says, "Blessed are you who come in God's name. Blessed are you who come under God's protecting presence."
And later:
"On this night we welcome each soul, sharing stories of courage, strength and faith."
"My Seders are enjoyable and fun," Brickner said.
The children at the Hebrew school decorated the Elijah cups and Brickner created the matzah plates. There will be singing of traditional songs to round out the evening. The Cantorial soloist will be Stephanie Feder.
To reserve a table or seats for the Seder, call the Wood River Jewish Community at 726-1183. The cost is $55 for non-members and $45 for members of the WRJC.
