By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
After contacting all of the synagogues in Washington state, the following said they would welcome you to join them during Passover:
Second night seders
Bet Alef Meditational Synagogue will host a seder on April 8 at East Shore Unitarian Church. Balabuste Catering will prepare the meal. Choose either king salmon or marinated tofu with asparagus and porcini mushrooms. A seasonal green salad and roasted potatoes, parsnips and yams with rosemary and garlic will accompany both meals. Fresh strawberries (dipped and undipped) for dessert. Because the event is catered, there is no possibility of admission without prior reservation. The reservation deadline is April 2. Bring Passover wine or juice to drink during the seder. If you have any of the following, bring them: kiddush cups, empty seder plates and tallit (prayer shawl). Bring non-perishable food for Jewish Family Service or make a financial donation to MAZON, A Jewish Response to Hunger. Cost is $42 for adult non-members, $39 for non-member seniors and students, $36 for adult members, $18 for children ages 6-12, $10 for children ages 3-5 and free for children two and younger. Call 206-527-9399.
Chabad House will have its second night seder on April 8 at 8:30 p.m. Passover meal with hand-baked matzot and traditional songs will be included. Everyone is invited. Shmurah Matzah available for purchase at $16 per pound. Sale of chametz forms available. Special fund for those in need of Pesach provisions. Call 206-527-1411.
Congregation Beth Hatikvah will host a community seder on April 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Olympic College, Bremmer Center in Bremerton. For members and their guests, cost is $18 for adults and $8 for children 5—12. For non-members, cost is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children 5—12. Toddlers will be admitted free. Bring your family seder plate. RSVP by April 1 to Marcia Rubenstein, 10569 Sirocco Circle N.W., Silverdale, Wash. 98383. Call 360-698-9483.
Congregation Beth Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, invites you to join us for our Community Passover Seder on April 8. The seder begins promptly at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a kosher meat dinner (vegetarian option available). The cost is $44 for adults, $22 for youth 12-17yrs./students, $12 for children 4-11yrs. and free for children 3 and younger. Reservations and prepayment are required. A discount is available for Beth Shalom members. Payment will not be taken at the door. Call 206-524-0075 for reservations. Congregation Beth Shalom is located at 6800 35th Ave. N.E. in Seattle.
Congregation Kol Ami is holding a Passover Seder in Woodinville on April 8 at 6 p.m. The seder will take place at Bear Creek United Methodist Church, 16530 Avondale Road N.E., Woodinville. The cost for members is $5 per person; for non-members the cost is $20 per adult, $15 per senior or college student, $10 per child (under five years old free). There is limited space for non-members. Call 425-844-1604 or visit www.kolami.net.
Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, a progressive Reform congregation affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) and the World Congress of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Jewish Organizations, will be hosting its community second seder on April 8 at 6 p.m., at the Arboretum Visitors Center in Seattle. The meal is a meat/vegetarian potluck (no dairy, leavened food). Indicate ingredients for allergic eaters. All are welcome. Call for reservations by April 2 at 206-329-2590.
The Greater Yakima Valley Community will be hosting a seder on April 8, beginning with greetings at 6 p.m., a seder at 6:15 p.m. and dinner, by M & M Catering, at 7 p.m. This year’s menu choices are lamb shish kebab, salmon or vegetarian. The Seder will take place at Yakima Convention Center, at the corner of Yakima Ave. and 7th St. in Yakima. Parking is located across 7th St. near the Chamber of Commerce building. A Kiddies Korner will be available with lots of fun activities for children and a babysitter will also be available. If reservations are received by April 2, prices are $23 for adult members, $26 for adult non-members, $10 for college students and children 9 and younger and free for children under three. After April 2, prices will be $26 for adult members, $29 for adult non-members, $16 for children 9 and younger and college students and free for children under three. Mail reservations and check to Marcia Zack, 300 Shadow Lane, Selah, WA. If you are having financial difficulties and still wish to attend, call John Vornbrock at 509-966-1261.
For more information, call Marcia Zack at 509-697-7123 or write to marcia_zack@hotmail.com.
Hillel at the University of Washington hosts its annual seder on April 8 at 7:45 p.m. Vegetarian meals are available. Reservations are required by March 30. The cost is $8 for students or $18 for community members. Call 206-527-1997 or mail a check to reserve your spot, 4745 17th Ave. N.E., Seattle, 98105.
Hillel of Western Washington University will host its annual community Passover seder and dinner on April 8 at 5:30 p.m. Seating begins at 5 p.m. It will take place at the Viking Union Room 565 on the WWU campus. Event parking will be offered in lots 7G, 11G and 14G. Reservations are required by March 30, as seating is limited. Admission for adults is $15, $8 for children, $40 for a family (maximum two adults and three children under 18) and $10 for students (or with meal plan $5). Make reservations to Hillel of WWU, 102 Highland Drive—The Shalom Center, Bellingham, Wash. 98225 or call 360-733-3400, ext. 3 for more information.
Jewish Community Association of Southwest Washington, an unaffiliated congregation, will be holding its annual community Passover seder April 8 at 5:30 p.m., at the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N. Main St. in Ridgefield. Reservations are due by March 23. Call 360-574-5169.
Secular Jewish Circle holds a Passover seder at 5 p.m. on April 8 at the Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 N.W. 66th St., Seattle, featuring the telling of the Passover story from a secular and humanistic perspective. A secular Haggadah will be used and there will be plenty of singing, food and wine. Bring a hearty potluck dish — no wheat flour, leavened foods or noodles. Contact the SJC at 206-528-1944 or sjcps@hotmail.com for registration and payment information (required).
Temple Beth El is sponsoring a second seder April 8 at 6 p.m. at its congregation, located at 5975 S. 12th St. in Tacoma. Non-members tickets are $27.50 for adults and $15 for children. Paid reservations must be received by April 4. Call Kathy at 253-564-7101.
Temple Beth Hatfiloh of Olympia is sponsoring a seder for Passover on April 8 at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $15.45 for adults and $7.71 for children ages 13 and younger. Price includes a 3 percent donation to MAZON, a Jewish response to hunger. Tickets must be purchased by March 30. Call 360-754-8519.
Temple Beth Or of Everett’s Passover seder will take place on April 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the American Red Cross Building, 2530 Lombard Ave., Everett. Cantor Karen Gilat will lead the seder. The temple will provide matzah, matzah-ball soup, gefilte fish, wine, juice, coffee and tea. The rest of the meal will be potluck, provided by attending families. Your dish should serve 10—12 people. If the first letter of your last name begins with A—E bring a dessert, F—K bring vegetables or salad, L—Z bring a main dish. Your potluck contribution must be kosher for Passover. This means dried beans, legumes, grains, baking powder and yeast are not permitted. Do not mix meats or meat products with dairy (milk, cheese, sour cream, butter, etc.). Also, do not prepare foods using shellfish or pork. Reservations postmarked by March 24, are $12 for adult members, $6 for child members, $17 for adult guests and $9 for child guests. Reservations postmarked by March 31, are $14 for adult members, $8 for child members, $19 for adult guests and $11 for child guests. Reservations after March 31 are $17 for adult members, $11 for child members, $22 for adult guests and $14 for child guests. A 3 percent contribution to MAZON, a Jewish response to hunger, is included in the cost. Contributions for the food bank, kosher and non-kosher are requested. Call 425-259-7125.
Temple B’nai Torah of Bellevue is hosting a community seder on April 8 at 6 p.m. The seder will be led by Rabbi James Mirel and Cantor David Serkin-Poole. The meal will be catered by Matzoh Momma’s, and will include homemade gefilte fish, salad, matzah- ball soup, roast chicken, potatoes, spring vegetables and dessert. A vegetarian option is available upon advanced request. The cost is $32 per adult and $18 per child (ages 6-12) and there is limited space. Paid reservations are required by March 30. Contact Lauren Simonds at 425-603-9677. Send your check or money order payable to TBT, 15727 N.E. 4th St., Bellevue, WA 98008.
Temple De Hirsch Sinai is sponsoring its annual community second seder dinner on April 8 at 6 p.m., in Temple’s Sidney Z. Jaffe Auditorium Annex (enter at 1520 E. Union St., Seattle). Share in a meaningful reading of the Hagaddah led by Rabbi Scott Sperling, sing songs led by Cantor Marina Belenky and enjoy a catered “Feast of Freedom.” Ticket prices are $37 per person for non-members, $32 per person for TDHS members, $27 per person for seniors and $18 for children (10 and younger). Space is limited to the first 150 reservations. Advance reservations must be made by April 2. Pre-paid reservations only, call 206-323-8486.
Other seders
Chabad House will have a first night seder on April 7 at 8:30 p.m. Delicious Passover meal with hand-baked matzos and traditional songs will be included. Everyone is invited. Shmurah Matzah available for purchase at $16 per pound. Sale of Chametz forms available. Special fund for those in need of Pesach provisions. Call 206-527-1411.
Congregation Eitz Or will be sponsoring a special Maimouna celebration on the last night of Passover, April 15 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the Social Hall at UUC, 6556 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle. It will begin with kosher for Pesach Moroccan food, then re-entering chametz time at 8:45 p.m. with a special cake. Tickets are available to non-members at a cost of $10 per person or $28 per family ($7 per person or $18 per family for members). Deadline for reservations is April 9. To make reservations, call the Eitz Or hotline at 206-467-2617 and leave a message including the number of tickets and your phone number.
Jewish Family Service will host a Passover seder for Jewish women who have experienced abuse by an intimate partner. The seder will explore themes of oppression and liberation as they relate to the experience of domestic violence. If you are currently or have ever been in an abusive relationship, join JFS for an evening of connection and healing. Date and location are confidential. Space is limited. Register by March 21. Call Michelle Lifton at 206-461-3240, ext. 250.
Kadima is hosting a community seder at 6 p.m. on April 13 at the Social Hall of the church at 6550 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle. The new Kadima Haggadah that was created last year by Rabbi Drorah Setel with help from Rainer Waldman Adkins, will be used. A vegetarian potluck will take place. If your last name begins with A—G bring a ritual dish, H—M bring a main dish, N—T bring a side dish, U—Z bring a dessert. Bring enough food for 20 people. Call Wendy Graff at 206-789-2431 or Mindy Maloney at 206-547-3914 to volunteer.
Women’s Seder: The Young Women’s Council of the National Council of Jewish Women, Seattle Section, invites the public to participate in a women’s seder on March 25. A unique women’s Haggadah has been prepared for this special occasion. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. and the seder will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m., at Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle. Cost is $30 per person, or join NCJW by paying the $36 annual dues and attend the Seder for free. Kosher dietary laws will be observed. Respond by March 16. All women 12 and older are welcome to attend. Call Marci Wilenzick at 425-454-2988.
Passover programs
Bet Alef Meditational Synagogue will present, “The Kabbalah of Passover” on April 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the East Shore Unitarian Church. If the journey from enslavement to freedom is a metaphor relating to our spiritual path, how are we to connect to that path personally? An inquiry into the mystical levels of the Passover seder. Rabbi Falcon shares material with which to enrich and deepen your journey this year. Donations and registration requested. Call 206-527-9399.
Congregation Eitz Or’s Maggid, Larry Gerstenhaber, will offer a workshop on “Deepening Awareness for Passover: Meditation and Kabbalah on Preparing for Liberation.” It will be on March 29 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Howe Room in the UUC Building, 6556 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. Call 206-467-2617.
Chabad House will host a Passover Symposium on March 25 from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Join community rabbis for discussion and reflections on Passover concepts and mitzvot. Refreshments served. Adult donation of $1.50 requested. Childcare available for $5 per child by RSVP only. Call 206-527-1411.
Jewish Family Service will host a gathering for Jews in recovery from addictions, connecting Passover rituals to 12-step recovery, on March 27 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Temple Beth Am, 2632 N.E. 80th St., Seattle. Liza Restifo and Rabbi Jonathan Singer will lead it. Admission is free. Call Jewish Family Service at 206-461-3240.