First Seder was fun and lasted longer than expected even though it was not really traditional. Instead of brisket I bought a Costco chicken to avoid the meat aromas in the coach, not to mention there was no place to cook meat since Carol had every pot, pan and implement in use making kugel and tsimus as well as the fixings for the plate. This year we had a couple from the park join us. They have had some experience since their daughter is married to a Jewish man and they have had seder with them. 

We had the “traditional” Reform Haggadah from 1974 and the Tablet Magazine Haggadah that came out a year or two ago. We are ordering more of the latter, we have had it with the almost 50 year old language and “order.” I don’t remember last year, but we had the new Haggadah and it was just the two of us so we didn’t get real focused on the book, doing it with new friends really opens the eyes. 

Table talk during and around the Seder has changed with the times. It is so different not having any children and so different in a world where the story of Exodus is being relived on our screens, in real life. It may have always been that way, but the it seems so much clearer today as the Ukrainians scramble for their lives out of cities being dismantled by artillery around them. I cannot imagine what it must be to come out of the cellar and find the world in shambles. Given Ukrainian history of Jewish mistreatment (hows that for an understatement) I at first had a hard time finding sympathy for them. But that was the Cossacks and the Russians even then. These people lead by a Jewish president are facing as horrible treatment as the Jews ever did and with the same amount of reason. Because they are the other.  Their Orthodox Church is different, their language is different and they demand to maintain their independence which only goes back to 1991. Putin wants their land for its assets and has no interest in the people who are only in his way.

Plans: We leave a week from tomorrow (Sunday) and after service in Redlands I only have two stops planned and the second is up in the air. We will spend the first night out in Quartzite unless we don’t. Watch this space for actual happenings as we roll. I do know we will be in Boston on May 19 – 21 and Providence RI May 22-23.