The Abington Jounal
Rabbi Benny Rapoport, Director of the Jewish
Discovery Center of Clarks Summit, holds a
hand-baked “shmurah” matzah from Israel, an
unleavened wafer, one of the staples of the
upcoming Passover feast.
Rabbi Benny Rapoport, Director of the Chabad’s Jewish Discovery Center in Clarks Summit, said Passover Seder was an exciting part of his childhood.
“As a kid, I remember Passover Seder in my home was one of the most exciting nights of the year. It was late, the entire family got together, 10 siblings, and everyone was a part of the festivities. Everyone had a role to play at the table: each of the kids had notes and tidbits about the holiday that they learned in school which was shared around the table,” said Rabbi Rapoport. He has lived in the Scranton and Abington areas with his wife and family since the fall of 2000.
He added, “Of the two Seders, one was only our family and the other was guests, tons, usually about 50 total. I really felt the richness of the Exodus. Tonight we’ve become a free people as the destiny of the Jewish people was born. And the excitement and drama of the evening was really palpable.”
Passover is celebrated in the early spring from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan, commemorating the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is celebrated March 29 through April 6.
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