Jewish Journeys

 I love matzah!  There!  I’ve put it in print and am prepared to stand and be proud.  Most of   my friends either just barely tolerate matzah, or enthusiastically embrace matzah at the first   seder and then are happy to be through.  Me, I can eat a box of matzah by myself, spreading   it out over several weeks.

 I love matzah with charoset and all the other typical Passover foods.  But I also will eat it   with peanut butter, butter, cream cheese… I’m a picky eater so these are my go-to choices  and long after Passover is over, I’m still enjoying matzah.

I think I was surprised to find out that most Jews aren’t as attached to matzah as I am.  At first I thought the Jews were obligated to love matzah but in reality, it’s just the opposite.  If matzah was the only food to eat in the wilderness then it was simply a survival food.  It isn’t tasty.  We weren’t meant to like it.

Over the years, I’ve also been surprised to learn that not everyone runs a seder the way that I do.  When I was growing up my family lived way out in the far south Chicago suburbs.  We were one of the few Jewish families in our neighborhood.  When holidays came around, we always ended up at my Grandma Sara’s apartment on the far north side of Chicago.

My grandmother’s apartment was tiny.  Yet it was in her home that the entire family gathered for our Passover Seder.  Great aunts and uncles, cousins, random strangers…  I remember that kids had to sit off by ourselves in Grandma’s bedroom most years.  I remember that if we arrived early enough we were put to work.  I remember that I never found the afikomen, but I think my sister did once.

I never liked the beef that was served, tough and joyless.  But I always loved the chicken soup.  I use my grandma’s recipe to this day.  When I was young, I refused to eat the maror but loved the charoset.  Most importantly, I looked forward to the matzah.

The seder was long and formal.  I don’t remember much laughter or discussion, but then, I was off in a tiny bedroom with my sister and others our age.

All of these things influence the choices I make as the organizer of our little family seder.  I want my seder relevant, full of discussion, and always, laughter is invited in.  I never make brisket or any kind of beef.  I just focus on the chicken soup, and the foods of the story.  Even though I, too, have a small space, I make sure that the kids are all at the same table as the grown-ups and very included in all discussions.

I am lucky enough to have 2 nights of seders because I am invited to a dear friend’s house.  I thank her for including me, and want to take this moment to give her a huge public THANK YOU!  

I wonder what you do?  I wonder how much courage it takes for you to create your own service, and I wonder where you are in your Jewish journey?  Will you go to the community seder?  Will you eat alone or with friends?  Wherever you are will be enough, so I encourage everyone to try something this year.

Perhaps you will share your experiences, thoughts and feelings with me.  I’d love to hear from you!  You can email me at karrie@dkbrowninc.com!

Chag Sameach!