In Edmonton, Beth Israel’s community seder was a wonderful experience 

By Regan Lipes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

(AJNews) – Passover is a wonderful time of year for families and friends to gather and celebrate. But for any number of reasons, not everyone has access to a family style seder. The good news is that wonderful options are available. Community seders have long been a tradition in Israel, around the world and of course right here in Alberta. In Edmonton,  Beth Israel congregation hosts an annual first night community seder and in Calgary this year, Beth Tzedec and Temple B’nai Tikvah congregations both hosted second night community seders. This year, the Lipes family had an amazing first night seder in Edmonton at BI.

At Beth Israel Synagogue, the annual first night Pesach Seder is a joyful tradition community wide.  This year boasted marvelous attendance with large families, young couples with small children, and some singles in attendance. The Edmonton Jewish community has a long memory, and for as long as most can remember, the BI Seder has been bringing Pesach traditions and religious observance to local Jews from all shuls and the unaffiliated. For those who might opt for a less elaborate Seder at home, or forgo this significant holiday altogether, the BI Seder continues to offer tradition, and a welcoming sense of belonging.

Thanks to the efforts of Ed Yedgarov and his team of happy helpers, the evening’s meal was simply superb, with every delicacy called for by the holiday’s traditions. The Seder was led by Rabbi Guy Tal, and the Haggadah was read entirely in Hebrew by volunteers young and old. Rabbi Tal explained the significance of each step of retelling the story of how Moses led his people out of slavery, and for those in attendance less versed in the nuanced details of Pesach, his elaborations were both enlightening and poignant.

Children darted joyfully from table to table, and the spirit of the occasion felt less like a community Seder, but a celebration shared by one big mishpucha. Children who were old enough to be able to read recited the four questions in unison, while younger ones looked on with awe and admiration.  Four cups of wine added to the mirth of the festivities, while Ed and his team served up a beautiful and succulent spread. There was plenty of matzoh, and children were covered with crumbs all over their special Pesach attire as they gobbled mouthfuls of unleavened break heaped with extra charoset.

The Seder ended close to midnight, with younger babies fast asleep on their parents’ shoulders, and other little ones still running around but losing steam. Many stayed to sing “Dayenu” spiritedly,  “Echad  Mi Yodea” with mounting speed, and of course, “Chad Gadya”!  By the time the shul’s social hall cleared out it was well after midnight. It was a chilly night, so walking home was quite cold, but with bellies full of Ed’s cooking, and hearts brimming with the light and spiritual fulfillment of celebrating Pesach, strolling felt effortless.

The Edmonton Jewish community should keep in mind for future years that attending one of their Seders at BI is a great option for those who may not be hosting their own Seders.  Perhaps the intensity of Pesach cooking does not align with pre-holiday work schedules, in which case BI also has the answer. Orders for kosher for Pesach meals can be placed with Ed in advance.  Both the BI Seder, and Ed’s pre-order catering is offered yearly, so for those who missed out this year, next year, G-d willing, can be a special a full Pesach to look forward to.

The community is grateful to all the BI organizers who shared in the task of putting together such a marvelous first night Seder, especially Rabbi Tal and Manal for koshering the kitchen in preparation, Ed for hours toiling in said kitchen, and Jewish Family Services for subsidizing the attendance for anybody in the community needing help to meaningfully and memorably sharing in this year’s BI Seder.

Regan Lipes is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter