COMMUNITY PASSOVER WITH

THE AQUARIAN MINYAN APRIL 6 2023

Second Night on Zoom (April 6 at 6 PM)

REGISTER HERE

Join the Minyan for a very lively, interactive, experiential journey from slavery to freedom for the Second Night Seder on Zoom. Engage directly with the beloved rituals, foods, songs and texts from your own home, with “Night of Beginnings” Marcia Falk’s Haggadah, available through Afikomen or Amazon and led by our long-time Minyan Seder leaders, Abigail Grafton and Shoshana Dembitz and friends. Be prepared for lots of fun and great discussion! There will be a focus on our interior journeys to freedom. We believe in a liberated Seder format and we encourage everyone to argue, debate, and create ritual. If there is something in particular you would like to lead please call Abigail at 510-914-4247 and join our Seder planning group. Please prepare a Seder plate, all the foods, you like, and a nice meal for yourself. We will be going into breakout rooms during the meal to have a full Passover experience.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Marcia Falk’s Haggadah please visit the Amazon Website for a Digital or Print copy . Click HERE

If you are interested in participating in the Second Night Seder 5783 please contact Shoshana Dembitz sdembitz@gmail.com or call Abigail Grafton at 510-914-4247

If you are a Minyan members seeking a seat at a home Seder for the First Night this year or if you are having a Home Seder and would consider inviting a Minyan member please contact Shoshana Dembitz sdembitz@gmail.com or call Abigail Grafton at 510-914-4247

The Big Question

By Sandy Leeder z’l (from 2020)

The Big Question: Why is this year’s Passover Seder different from all other Seders?

At all other Seders, we tell the “story” of the 10 plagues.

At this Seder, we are actually living amidst plagues.

At all other Seders, we count the 10 plagues.

At this Seder, we will be hiding in our homes, just as our ancestors did, and praying sincerely that the Covid-19 plague will “pass over” our house.

At all other Seders, we eat in joyous celebration, reclining and feasting.

At this Seder, we will eat with the same fear that our ancient Israelite forefathers felt after Moshe tells the elders that the Plague of Hashem is coming and that stepping out of your house would mean death. (Exodus/Shemot 12, 21-23)

At all other Seders, Moshe’s instructions are an abstract memory.At this Seder, Moshe’s instructions are necessary and operative:

Stay inside your house until the plague passes (Exodus/Shemot 12, 23), wash with soap (Numbers/Bamidbar 19), isolate the infected, even putting them outside of the camp. (Leviticus/VaYikra 13, etc.)

And at this Seder, 3,300 years later, Moshe’s instructions are still our best defense against the plague.

In this time of skepticism and fear, our ancient story is not just a history, and it’s more than about ritual. The Torah also teaches us the actual actions necessary to stay alive. 

Pay attention, cut through the distractions, learn all the lessons.

Gird yourself. Act, don’t wait.

Pesach Sameach!