Model Community Passover Seder

JFS sponsors a celebration for R.I. seniors

Sam Buckler and Tillie Orleck, above, and Miriam Snell, right, with Cantor Steven Dress. /Irina MissiuroWarwick – On March 20, buses delivered seniors from the community to Congregation Am David to celebrate Passover. Older Rhode Islanders and people with disabilities united for a special Seder that was designed with their needs in mind. Shorter than the usual Passover meal, the luncheon celebration was a fitting way for the participants to recognize the occasion. The round tables beckoned with Passover platters and grape juice masquerading as wine. As the guests settled down, Hazzan Steven W. Dress, of Temple Israel in Sharon, Massachusetts, kicked off the event with song. The seniors loved his repertoire, which included a rendition of “A Few of My Favorite Passover Things” and “Take Me Out to the Seder.”

The cantor has been practicing his craft for nearly three decades, one of them at Am David, where he served the congregation from 1982 until 1991. After he wished everyone a happy first day of spring, Dress lightened the mood by saying that, instead of a foot of snow, we’ll only have three to four inches now. Later, while describing the symbolism of the foods on the Seder plate, he made another dig at our New England weather, pointing out that the greens’ representation of spring is more evident in Israel.

The cantor conducted the main part of the Seder in a Socratic manner. Those guests who answered his questions correctly were rewarded with generous praise. Would you have known the real significance of the shank bone? Dress explained that animal sacrifice, which we haven’t done for 2,000 years, used to be our primary form of worship. The bone is a nostalgic reminder that offerings were given with a full heart, and that our priorities need to change from focusing on the substance (lamb) to focusing on the spirit (listening to the Seder’s readings attentively, not repeating them by rote).

He also explained the reason Ashkenazim don’t serve lamb at the Passover table: they are wary that guests might assume that they sacrificed the animal.

Lunch highlights included a performance of the Four Questions, chanted masterfully by Rabbi Aaron Philmus, of Temple Torat Yisrael, and the profound insights shared by Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser, of Temple Sinai. Goldwasser surprised everyone by saying that Purim and Pesach are essentially the same holiday. After all, the story centers on a foreign power’s threat to kill the Jews, who are ultimately saved at the last moment.

However, he admitted that the differences are quite important as well. While the Book of Esther, which we read on Purim, does not contain the name of God, the Haggadah, which we read on Passover, mentions God often, but brings up Moses only once. This reminds us that there’s more than one way to look at the world – you can choose either the human (it’s all up to us) or the divine (it’s all up to God) perspective.

Neal Drobnis, coordinator of kosher nutrition at JFS, and the organizer of the event, seemed to focus on the human perspective that day. He joyfully rolled the matzah ball soup cart, dancing to the appreciative laughter of the onlookers, a few of whom remarked how much they liked his colorful kippah. The man had every reason to celebrate the holiday in style since he pulled off a great Seder.

Together with Steve Tragar, Kosher Senior Café manager at Temple Am David, Elaine Shapiro, assistant meal site manager, and 10 volunteers, Drobnis served a delicious meal prepared by Accounting for Taste. Seniors and guests dined on chicken cutlets in apricot sauce and potato kugel with carrots.

Some groups, such as The Fogarty Center and AccessPoint R.I., continued their tradition of making an annual appearance at the Seder. Steven Buonfiglio, supervisor at R.I. Community of Living and Support, said these groups attend every year so that people who may not go to temple can be connected to their culture. He added, “The folks really look forward to it.” Next year, Drobnis hopes to invite disabled veterans to the celebration.

Everyone deserves a chance to taste outstanding matzah balls surrounded by a sea of broth and carrots. The seniors didn’t demur for a second when offered another bowl of soup. They responded immediately, “Well, since you asked, don’t mind if I do!” The only dislikes at the table were lost knives and misplaced forks.

Paulette Green, an energetic senior, was full of zingers, one of which pinpointed the duplicate nature of matzah balls. She said, “If they’re made right, they’re lovely. If they’re not, you can play baseball with them.” When asked about a dear Seder memory, she responded, “They last too long, and you starve to death!” Green loved not having to prepare the meal, “I don’t cook. I defrost.” She hasn’t hosted a Seder in ages, “I stopped when my daughter-in-law found out I would cook the brisket ahead of time and freeze it.”

Ann Trimmel, Drobnis’ aunt by marriage, was delighted to be at the Seder. She said, “I’m not Jewish, but I enjoy every moment.” A resident of Shalom Apartments, Trimmel accepted her neighbor, Corinne Resnick’s, invitation to attend the celebration for the second year.

The seniors arrived at the Seder for various reasons. Some were brought by their caregivers, some by their friends. Many wanted to celebrate Passover without the burden of Seder preparation. Others appreciated the company of fellow Seder guests. Whatever the reason, they were glad to be a part of the event. Resnick summed up the sentiment, “It’s great. They do a wonderful job.”

Irina Missiuro is a writer and editorial consultant for The Jewish Voice.