Pesach Redux

You were probably expecting a blog about the trip David and Jordan are taking across the country – they are driving the Southern Route,. So far they have been in Asheville, North Carolina, Memphis – to the Peabody to see the ducks, and Oklahoma City. Neither of them feels very well but I am told they are having fun. The pictures they have sent are Jordan in a Wall*Mart, Jordan at a Dairy Queen, Jordan painting her toenails while driving, and Jordan Sleeping. A book, these may not make, but stay tuned. If they don’t post those pictures, I will.

Back to the first night of Passover. The guests were asked to arrive by 6. Some arrived at 4. The weather was bad and the traffic was predicted to be terrible. And it was. (Lee and Marty never got past the GW Bridge.) The tent had a few leaks and the rain was steadily pouring in, but Omar the tent maker insisted that what looked like leaks was not always leaks, even if the table appeared to be wet, and he was on his way. It was almost like “your check is in the mail” but to the tune of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” We still didn’t know how the cholent would turn out, or if there was enough fish –only time would tell and, at this point, only God knew.

The best parts of the Seders we do now, are the parts that involve the children. Our children range from a few months to well into their teens. They, like their parents, look forward to Passover as time they get to spend together with their cousins just having family fun. Sure they think some of the material we use is lame, but they still participate and they still laugh. We spent too many years not having much fun at Seders and we all vowed that there would be no “Shushing” and no disciplining. We want them to connect fun with family holiday events. And whether it’s a rap about Moses, or an orange on the Seder plate, they do get into the explanations as well as the performances.

Even though the weather was awful, the food was great, the prayers, were limited to the important parts, and the laughs were many. Especially during the entertainment part of the program. Yes, we rented a keyboard, and had Matty Selman preview his songs for Gefilte Fish Chronicles the Musical. (Want to invest? Get there early and often). I wish I could share some of the music—but I know there is no one who reads this blob who can be trusted not to sell it to a recording studio. Maybe we’ll show you Aunt Peppy’s reaction to some of the tunes (if David can edit it).

As I have said before, for whatever reason everything came together and it was just special. We left at about 10 and reappeared for a matzoh brie breakfast before 8am the next day. In the documentary Aunt Peppy says “You can’t believe people could eat matzoh brie all morning – but they can.” And we did. Goodbyes were sweet and somewhat painful. Who knows what the new year will bring… but we are optimistic this year will bring joy, health and happiness (and more matzoh brie) to everyone of us and of course, to all our readers. More about second Seder tomorrow. We’re just sayin’… Iris