Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky, of the Harold Rothstein Chabad Jewish Center in Glastonbury, goes out of his way to make Jewish holidays fun and accessible for everyone.
This year, he is inviting the entire community for Passover dinner.
One of the celebrations of Passover is a Seder – a traditional meal during which family and friends commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. The center will be offering two Seders, both open to the public, on April 5 and 6.
“We open our doors for people to come to us,” Wolvovsky said. “We have expanded offerings of Seders – the traditional and happy meal at the beginning of Passover. We’re doing both of them open to the community. We do it in a way that is comfortable for everyone to enjoy and participate.”
At the Seder, the Rabbi explains, many rituals are observed. From eating crunchy Matza (hand baked crackers, which Chabad imports from Israel) to drinking four cups of wine or grape juice (Kosher, of course); from dipping vegetables in saltwater to eating bitter herbs; and, finally, there is the delicious full-course meal. Dessert is also included.
In addition, the “Haggada” – an ancient textbook which chronicles the Passover story – is read. At Chabad’s Seder, the Rabbi will lead the reading in Hebrew and English, coupled with participation from community members.
“This is always an interactive event,” he said. “Every participant should internalize the message of the Festival as it relates to their own lives.”
“It’s a full meal,” Wolvovsky said. “There’s wine, there’s dessert, and the text, which we make interesting and interactive. We explain a lot about the story of Passover. People learn about the process of freedom, about what it means to be free today, and how we can maximize the freedoms that we have here.”
Wolvovsky added that the lessons of Passover, which dates back 3,400 years, are very relevant to modern times.
“Passover has been celebrated every year, for thousands of years, but it’s more relevant now than ever,” he said. “This idea that we are free to live the lives that we are designed to live, that means to maximize our potential. It means to exercise our spirit and our soul, not to feel at all boxed-in or limited, regardless of what’s going on around us. That message, I think resonates even more today than in the past.”
For those not wishing to attend the Seder, the center will provide and deliver shmura matza, free of charge.
“If you just let us know that you want us to deliver handmade shmura matza from Israel to your doorstep, we will deliver it to you,” he said.
The Seder admission prices are $40 per person, with a maximum of $100 per family. The Rabbi emphasizes, however, that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
To register for the Seder, or order Shmura Matza, call the center at 860-659-2422 or email Rabbi@ChabadER.com.
