Passover celebrated with community seders

Each year, Jews around the world traditionally gather with family at the seder table to retell Passover’s enduring story of freedom from slavery. But if you can’t celebrate with family this year — or simply want to join a larger community — there are many options across Pittsburgh. Local congregations and other Jewish organizations are hosting seders, and the Chronicle has assembled a guide to help you find one.

Reform
Beit Kulanu — the combined Rodef Shalom and Temple Sinai congregation — will host its first community seder, led by Rodef Shalom Congregation’s s Rabbi David Young. The seder will take place at Rodef Shalom, 4905 Fifth Ave., beginning at 6 p.m.

“I am extremely excited about the seder,” said Executive Director Drew Barkley. “Anytime we can have the two communities together is always a great thing.”

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Temple Emanuel of South Hills invites the South Hills community to join Rabbis Aaron and Emily Meyer, and Cantor Kalix Jacobson and their partner Mickey Benson, at the congregation’s second night seder on April 2 at 6 p.m. The celebration will include craft projects, snacks before the meal, and a fully transliterated Haggadah.

Rabbi Aaron Bisno will lead Temple Ohav Shalom’s seder on April 1. The North Hills congregation will begin the celebration at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Jackie Leicht at jleicht@templeohavshalom.org.

For those looking to celebrate in the eastern suburbs, Temple David will host a second day seder on April 2 led by Rabbi Robert Jacobs. For more information or to register for the event, call the synagogue’s office at (412)372-1200.

Reform/Conservative
Billing its theological approach as somewhere “along the Reform-Conservative spectrum,” the Beth Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge will host a second night seder on April 2 at 5 p.m. The celebration will be led by spiritual leader Cantor Rena Shapiro.

Conservative
Rabbi Seth Adelson will lead Beth Shalom’s second night seder on April 2 beginning at 6 p.m., in what is being billed as “good food, good stories, good company, joyous singing, and meaningful ritual.”

Chabad
Chabad Centers across the Pittsburgh region will celebrate Passover with community seders open to all.

Chabad of Squirrel Hill will host two seders. The first, on April 1, begins at 7:15 p.m. The second, on the following night, starts at 8 p.m.

You may have seen the bus stop ads that Chabad of Greenfield recently put up around the city. Featuring the slogan “Got Matzah?”, the campaign aims to inspire Jewish pride, according to Rabbi Yitzi Goldwasser. He noted that while it’s wonderful if the ads bring people to his Chabad center’s seder, it’s equally meaningful if they simply encourage individuals to celebrate their Jewish identity in any setting.

“We hear people saw it and got excited,” he said. “Kids got excited on their way home from school. It creates something in the air.”

The message, he said, is that no matter what is happening in the world, “we’re going to be celebrating more than ever. People are invited and encouraged to join us.”

The April 1 first night seder begins at 7:45 p.m.

Chabad of the South Hills promises a meaningful and interactive seder in “a warm and inviting atmosphere with gourmet Passover cuisine and handmade Shmurah Matzah.” It takes place on April 1 at 7 p.m.

For those interested in a dry seder, the Aleph Institute has you covered. The April 1 and 2 celebrations begin at 7 p.m.

Rabbi Mendy Schapiro said he is “ecstatic” to be celebrating Passover at the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroeville’s new location at 2520 Mosside Blvd. The seder begins on April 1 at 7 p.m.

Chabad Young Professionals has “a seat set for you” that includes “four cups, deep vibes and freedom like never before,” according to its website.

Non-denominational
Bet Tikvah, Pittsburgh’s queer-centric, independent minyan will host a seder on the fourth night of Passover, April 4, at 6 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Congregation.

Deadlines to register for some of the seders have passed, while others may have reached capacity. Check with an organization to ensure space is available. PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.