Why is this Night going to be SOOOOOO different from all other Nights:

 

In this year of crisis, anxiety, and sacrifice, we need to be kind to ourselves.  The Passover preparation that we are used to needs to be relaxed.  The Seders that we were used to preparing for our children and grandchildren will be less than what we have grown used to. 

 

The requirement to be separated from our loved ones and our friends makes this year hard. If this had happened 20 years ago, our enforced quarantine would mean that we would be completely out of touch.  However, as we have learned over the last few weeks, today's virtual technology allow us to be together even if we cannot be physically next to each other.   While it is not a substitute for physical proximity, the ability to see, hear, and interact with each other is a blessing.

 

It is with this as our background that we welcome you to the JCC's Virtual Seders 

 

First, make your own Seder plates.  Have salt water, Matzah (at least 4 pieces).  

The Seders will begin at 6:00 pm on both Wednesday and Thursday.  We will try to keep each night to around an hour, but they may be a bit longer.  We will run the Seder and any songs in that time, afterward we can eat our separate meals.  At points in the Seder we will place you in random breakout rooms to give you and others an opportunity to discuss a prompt that I will give you.

 

The first night we will be using the PJ Library Haggadah. Though I will be sharing it on the zoom call, you can download it here:  PJ LIBRARY HAGADDAH  

 

The Second night we will be using the Noam Tzio Haggadah, called "A Different Night". You can download this Haggadah here: A DIFFERENT NIGHT

 

 

We recommend that you download the Haggadot beforehand just in case we lose our connection, or cannot get on to the link.  Then you will have the ability to use them for your own Seder. 

 

In an attempt to avoid some of the Zoom bombing incidents that have been happening, when you join the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room. I will come in to the virtual waiting room ask who you are, and then bring you into the main meeting.

 

In advance, we will ask you to have patience as we do this. There are a lot of moving parts, and it is not always easy to navigate.

 

We will also be having morning services on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They will start at 10:00 am and last for about an hour and a half.  For these services, use this link:  SERVICES

Wishing everyone a Zissen Pesach.  Next year may we all be together.

Rabbi Michael S. Jay