From Rabbi Craig Mayers
April / May 2019
What is it about Passover? Why am I asking this, you may wonder? A 2013 Pew Research study of American Jews asked about a wide variety of Jewish practices. And it found some pretty eye-opening results! For instance, while only 23% of U.S. Jews said they attend religious services at least monthly (yikes!), 70% said they participated in a Seder within the last year. 70 percent! Compare this to a figure of 53% who said they fasted for all or part of Yom Kippur in the prior year. Actually, this might say more about our love of food, but that’s a discussion for another time…
Further, the 70% participation figure – which included Jews of all backgrounds and labels (Orthodox, agnostic, non-religious, etc) – dwarfed any other practice in the survey. Poor Shabbat, for example – only 23% said they light candles regularly. So once again - what is it about Passover, and specifically the seder meal?
Some say it’s the family aspect. Like Thanksgiving, family members make it a point to gather for a seder, even travelling in from out of town. It’s a communal event, meant to be experienced with others. Those who travel over the holiday make it a point to find a seder no matter where they are. For example, my oldest son Julian is teaching English in Chile for the next several months, and is working on finding a seder in his somewhat rural part of the country. His coordinator says she “knows some Jewish families” in the nearby towns of Los Ángeles and Concepción, and will put him in touch with them. I’ll be sure to report back on his experiences!
Another reason seders are so popular is the participatory nature of the meal. Everyone gets to read, there are songs to sing, finger puppets to play with, afikoman to find, etc. Even people who don’t particularly enjoy going to synagogue (heaven forbid!) find the seder to be fun and engaging.
Further, the 70% participation figure – which included Jews of all backgrounds and labels (Orthodox, agnostic, non-religious, etc) – dwarfed any other practice in the survey. Poor Shabbat, for example – only 23% said they light candles regularly. So once again - what is it about Passover, and specifically the seder meal?
Some say it’s the family aspect. Like Thanksgiving, family members make it a point to gather for a seder, even travelling in from out of town. It’s a communal event, meant to be experienced with others. Those who travel over the holiday make it a point to find a seder no matter where they are. For example, my oldest son Julian is teaching English in Chile for the next several months, and is working on finding a seder in his somewhat rural part of the country. His coordinator says she “knows some Jewish families” in the nearby towns of Los Ángeles and Concepción, and will put him in touch with them. I’ll be sure to report back on his experiences!
Another reason seders are so popular is the participatory nature of the meal. Everyone gets to read, there are songs to sing, finger puppets to play with, afikoman to find, etc. Even people who don’t particularly enjoy going to synagogue (heaven forbid!) find the seder to be fun and engaging.
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The seder is also customizable. There are haggadot for every type – minimalist, vegetarian, child-friendly, “Earth Justice” (ecological), etc. You don’t have to stick with the House of Maxwell if you don’t want to! In fact, there is a whole web site dedicated to providing you a place where you can craft your very own customized haggadah – www.haggadot.com. Check it out and make your own family haggadah just for you!
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Maybe it’s the family aspect, maybe it the audience participation – maybe it’s even the four cups of wine! But whatever the reason, Passover ranks at the top of the Jewish experience in America. May yours be filled with joy this and every year. Chag kasher v’sameach, and Next Year in Jerusalem!
Rabbi Craig
Rabbi Craig
