Linda, Sophie & I are very fortunate to be a part of a wonderufl Jewish community filled with people who we think of as family. These people include us in holiday celebrations and in every day occassions, as well.
With my sister in Manhattan and my parents not always around at Passover, it's been hard the past few years to be with our immediate family, so last year, our friends Ellen & Jack included us in their 1st night seder and it was wonderful. It had enough of the traditions and great food, without it being an evening that ended at midnight! Perfect!
Last years' group included many people who either didn't have family around, grown kids who lived far away, etc... it was fun.
This year, that crowd had other plans and it was just going to be the 6 of us plus our good friend Bob. Bob actually was Linda's 5th grade teacher who was with his partner of 50+ years - - Jesse. Jesse passed away about 3 years ago and though Bob was raised Catholic, our Temple welcomed these 2 men as a couple and embraced them to the point that Bob continues to come to services and continue his adult Hebrew classes.
To make the seder a bit larger and include another child for Sophie to hang out with, we invited Sophie's friend Amelia and her parents, who are good friends of ours. They're not Jewish, but have always been interested and were thrilled to receive the invite to come tonight.
It should be a great evening.
Tomorrow night we'll be at our other friend Kristen's home for another fun and informal evening.
We are blessed to be included with both of these wonderful families.
Chag Sameach... Happy Passover!
Never been to any Jewish get togethers and that is a shame, yes?
Posted by: Maria | 04/20/2011 at 19:55
Maria - - I just googled and found that there are Reform Temples out there on the prairie in your state of Nebraska! You just have not had the good fortune to have met some Jewish folk! :) Sounds like something to put on your bucket list!
And just think of the look on your sister's face when you regale the family of your mingling with those Jewish folk! Priceless! I look forward to your blog post about your first encounter! Good luck! Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: val | 04/20/2011 at 22:28