Bring on the joy, bring on the oy!
Feb. 16th, 2004 01:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysobelleSo today’s been a very weird, and kind of wounding day. A friend came out with a wild and out-of-left-field comment about Jews, and some of us were pretty stunned. She’s since apologised.
I think, though, that in the last few years, I’ve slowly become aware that just because I was lucky enough not to grow up around racism and anti-Semitism, it never meant they weren’t there. I live in the state that is the highest in the country for hate-group websites. I’ve actually had someone swear to me that those damned Jews control the media and that’s why 9/11 happened. I’ve had people I loved dearly say things to me that felt like knives between my ribs. I’ve seen things on the news that make me so blindly homicidal I’m glad I don’t own a gun.
I’m tired of it. I feel dirty. I feel like I’m never going to be able to get clean again, and, really, I won’t. Unless I can find some other planet to live on that is somehow devoid of racism of any kind, I’m stuck with this one. And I have to make the best of it.
Therefore, this is an open invitation to everyone. I mean, everyone. On April 6th, 2004, I’m going to be hosting a Second Night Seder. The Jewish holiday of Passover begins at sundown the night before, April 5th, and I will, of course, be spending that with my own family. But second-night Seders are traditional, and this year, for the first time, I’m going to have one. It will be open to anyone who is at all curious about Jews and our traditions, or about Passover, or what a Seder is, or just wants to attend a Seder where someone ELSE makes the charoseth for once.
All I ask is that you be open-minded. No one is out to convert anyone else, nor will such behaviour be tolerated. This is just a fun, informative, enriching evening. Bring your friends, bring your questions, bring your brains and your hearts, bring your kids.
All plans are, of course, just beginning. So far, it’s my hope to have a variety of dishes from Jewish traditions all over the world. While I’d like to stay semi-traditional, I’d also like to incorporate many new traditions, and those of other families. I want this to be educational for everyone, myself included.
I have a tentative venue for this event, though it’ll depend on how many people commit to coming. I do ask that you tell me if you’ll attend, and if you say you’ll be there, that you actually show up. If you want to bring more people, mitzvah! Please do! Just tell me first. I’ll also be compiling a list of dishes, and if you have an interest in tackling them, please let me know that, as well.
I’m quite open to feedback about this, as I want the evening to appeal to many. I hope to see many people there.
I think, though, that in the last few years, I’ve slowly become aware that just because I was lucky enough not to grow up around racism and anti-Semitism, it never meant they weren’t there. I live in the state that is the highest in the country for hate-group websites. I’ve actually had someone swear to me that those damned Jews control the media and that’s why 9/11 happened. I’ve had people I loved dearly say things to me that felt like knives between my ribs. I’ve seen things on the news that make me so blindly homicidal I’m glad I don’t own a gun.
I’m tired of it. I feel dirty. I feel like I’m never going to be able to get clean again, and, really, I won’t. Unless I can find some other planet to live on that is somehow devoid of racism of any kind, I’m stuck with this one. And I have to make the best of it.
Therefore, this is an open invitation to everyone. I mean, everyone. On April 6th, 2004, I’m going to be hosting a Second Night Seder. The Jewish holiday of Passover begins at sundown the night before, April 5th, and I will, of course, be spending that with my own family. But second-night Seders are traditional, and this year, for the first time, I’m going to have one. It will be open to anyone who is at all curious about Jews and our traditions, or about Passover, or what a Seder is, or just wants to attend a Seder where someone ELSE makes the charoseth for once.
All I ask is that you be open-minded. No one is out to convert anyone else, nor will such behaviour be tolerated. This is just a fun, informative, enriching evening. Bring your friends, bring your questions, bring your brains and your hearts, bring your kids.
All plans are, of course, just beginning. So far, it’s my hope to have a variety of dishes from Jewish traditions all over the world. While I’d like to stay semi-traditional, I’d also like to incorporate many new traditions, and those of other families. I want this to be educational for everyone, myself included.
I have a tentative venue for this event, though it’ll depend on how many people commit to coming. I do ask that you tell me if you’ll attend, and if you say you’ll be there, that you actually show up. If you want to bring more people, mitzvah! Please do! Just tell me first. I’ll also be compiling a list of dishes, and if you have an interest in tackling them, please let me know that, as well.
I’m quite open to feedback about this, as I want the evening to appeal to many. I hope to see many people there.
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no subject
Date: 2004-02-16 07:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-16 10:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-16 02:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-16 04:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-16 04:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-16 04:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-17 02:41 am (UTC)And besides, you know me-- I'm perpetually late. I'm sure you'll be fine!
Hey
Date: 2004-02-17 04:26 am (UTC)If it is available at a local library, "From this day forward" by Steve and Cokie Roberts has some very interesting writing on seders and other jewish holidays. Cokie is catholic and Steve is jewish. They both work very hard at understanding and celebrating both sets of holidays and beliefs in their marriage. Aside from that, it is a really fun book to read.
no subject
Date: 2004-02-17 05:18 am (UTC)I already have people asking me when Passover is so they can plan to attend.
We think it's a great opportunity to open our home, feed people and teach them a bit about our traditions.
Two years ago as a surprise for my husband, a very good friend who is not Jewish practiced the Four Questions so she could recite them in Hebrew. She was going to be the youngest at the table, so we thought we'd completely surprise him . . . and we did. She did an amazing job. He still talks about it.
I have a great haroset recipe with oranges and apricots in it if you want it.
no subject
Date: 2004-02-17 05:31 am (UTC)And have we met? Do you post in the board? Thank you so much for responding!
Re:
Date: 2004-02-17 04:08 pm (UTC)I am Cassandra, the madame for Local 24.
Yes, I post (occasionally) on the boards under this name (sans the numbers).
I'll post the haroset recipe in my LJ. I have to find the book it's in. Since we moved, some of my cookbooks are missing. If you have Joan Nathan's Jewish Holiday Kitchen, the recipe is for Larry Somebody's Bubbie's Haroset.
Maybe we should start a "how to host a seder" community!
no subject
Date: 2004-02-17 04:23 pm (UTC)Tuesdays are a bad night for me, I might have to work that night, as well as the fact that I have decided that it is virtually impossible for me to make plans in the future that extends beyond the next 2 hours of the present.
But i'll keep it in mind for that night if I can come out.
Re:
Date: 2004-02-18 01:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-18 01:48 am (UTC)And I surely want you there, doll. It prolly won't start til 7 or so, as I told Jenny-Fur. And as...fluid as I am with punctuality, I won't kill anyone for being late.