Passover’s Seder Service Draws From Well of Tradition

Although the celebration of Passover commemorates the liberation of Jews from Egyptian slavery some 4,000 years ago, one ritual of the ceremonial Seder is relatively new.

“Recently, women’s Seders have added Miriam’s cup, which is filled with water, to the meal,” said Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller at Ventura’s Temple Beth Torah. The Seder dinner is held on the first evening of Passover. “Legend tells us that Miriam had a magical well that traveled with her--the women drew water from her well.”

Hochberg-Miller said the cup is used in remembrance of how Miriam’s well sustained the Israelites as they journeyed for 40 years in the wilderness.

The story of Passover is found in Exodus, the second book of the Bible. According to the story, when Pharaoh refused Moses’ request to free the Israelites from bondage, God sent 10 plagues to torment the Egyptians.

Although he promised to free the Jewish slaves, Pharaoh failed to keep his word until after the last plague, when he agreed to let the Hebrews go.

Moses then led his people into the desert, where he received the Ten Commandments.

The Seder commemorates this liberation with many reminders of the Jewish exodus.

Passover begins at sundown Wednesday and lasts for eight days.

Local services include:

Temple Etz Chaim: Services will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday.

At 10:30 a.m., Rabbi Michele Paskow Cohen and preschool teacher Debbie Blumenthal will conduct an hourlong children’s Passover service in the temple’s Winer Chapel.

The children will sing Hebrew songs, see the Torah and hear stories. Refreshments will follow.

The community Seder will get underway at 6:30 that evening. Everyone is invited, but reservations are necessary. The service will be conducted by Rabbi Shimon Paskow and Hazzan Jeff Cohen. Paskow has prepared a booklet, called the Haggada, that leads people through the Seder.

On Friday, services for the second day of Passover will begin at 10 a.m.

On April 7, the seventh day of Passover, services will be held at 10 a.m. at the temple. On the eighth day, services will begin at 10 a.m.; it is customary to conclude at noon with the Yizkor memorial prayers for deceased relatives and friends on the final day of the holiday, said Paskow. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Temple Etz Chaim serves 700 families in the Conejo Valley. It is at 1080 Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. For more information, call the temple office at 497-6891.

Chabad Community Center: Rabbi Yakov Latowicz will lead an interactive community Seder at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the center.

A four-course kosher dinner will be served, with special hand-baked matzo from Israel.

The Seder program will include a running commentary on the Haggada, with Chasidic insights, stories and songs designed to convey the holiday’s meaning.

The Seder is open to all ages and is by advance reservation only. Call 658-7441 for details.

Chabad is at 1259 Callens Road, Suite A, Ventura.

Temple Beth Torah: The annual community Seder begins at 6 p.m. Thursday evening and is open to the public.

The multi-course meal will be punctuated by participants’ readings from the Haggada.

Cost of the Seder and dinner is $26 for members and $30 for nonmembers, with reduced prices for children.

For information or to make reservations, call the temple office at 647-4181. It is at 7620 Foothill Road.

Temple Adat Elohim: The temple will hold a traditional second Seder, which is open to the community, at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Catered Passover dinners cost $35 for adults and $23 for children ages 4 to 12.

Call 379-5250 for reservations or information. The temple is at 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks.

Congregation B’nai Emet: Rabbi Michele Paskow will conduct the third annual community Seder at Dakota’s Restaurant in Simi Valley at 6 p.m. Thursday.

A traditional dinner will be served. The cost is $28 for adults and $22 for children 3 to 11. Reservations are required.

Call 581-3723 for more information.