Long Island Government Leaders Host Model Seder

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano marked the upcoming beginning of Passover by hosting the first model Seder at the County’s Headquarters. The Seder was led by Mineola Shliach Rabbi Anchelle Perl.

“It’s so important to share the personal relevance and message of Passover to the widest community” noted Rabbi Perl.

Invited guests included prominent community leaders and Jewish staffers in the County’s Administration. Rachel Pellar, member at Chabad of West Hempstead, delighted all assembled with her rendition of the Ma Nishtana and traditional introduction of the Seder’s 15-steps of Kadesh UrChatz.

“I found fascinating Rabbi Perl’s explanation,” noted Martin Volk of the County’s Attorney’s Office, “of why we eat three Matzos and we drink four cups of wine. This distinction between masculine matzah and feminine wine is connected to their respective journeys to freedom.”

The main challenge of a male in his journey to freedom is to become like matzah. To deflate and flatten his ego; to challenge the arrogance and the self-consciousness that obstruct his path to liberation. The main challenge of a woman in her journey to liberation is to allow her inner power, represented by wine, to emerge and bring joy and holiness to the world.”

The Seder concluded with the explanation on why Chabad pours the wine of Elijah Cup back into the wine bottle singing Keli Ata. All participants left inspired and uplifted and a gift of Shmura Matzahs for their own Seders.