A Seder for all

The adults sitting around the festively decorated Passover Seder table listened with rapt attention as the rabbi told the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Not an ordinary service, this mock Seder was held for the benefit of 10 severely disabled adults, complete with a kosher meal consisting of traditional Passover foods.

Rabbi Dovid Goldstein of Chabad Outreach led the service for the participants from State Supported Living Centers.

Passover begins with the first Seder on Monday, but for this event, facility vehicles took five Jewish adults from the Brenham location and five more from the Richmond location, along with their caretakers, to the Chabad Outreach Center in southwest Houston.

“The Most Exciting Nights of the Year”

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.