PASSOVER 2016

The table was set for 24 in a large square so that each guest could see the others.

 My oldest son came from Washington.D.C.

 My youngest son and daughter-in-law hosted and led the SEDER.

 My granddaughter Emma, just completed a paper which compared a popular American author
 with  Greek philosophy, came from Bard College in New York.

My grandson Hoben, just helped to stage the 10th Annual Central Regional Audio Student Conference for Webster University, was there along with two friends.

 My sons' step family from Baltimore, Maryland was there along with friends from Peru.

 My grandchildren's fifth-grade teacher and her significant other, a war veteran who made a plea for greater understanding of the needs of returning war veterans, were there .

 Former colleagues from Chicago, and the suburbs of St. Louis were there to participate in telling the story of Passover.

 Some people had never attended a SEDER before, some people were of different faiths, and some were not affiliated with any religion or belief.

 All were aware of the tumultuous times we are in, regardless of politics and nationality.

 We thought too, of the vast seas of migrants making their ways across the planet to find a better home than where they were.

The Passover ritual was recounted in song and readings, both serious and lively, sparkling with maraacas, drums and guitars.

People may have come to our SEDER as strangers but my hope is that we all left with the understanding that we need not fear each other, but we do need to take the opportunity to get to know each other better.