We have had a wonderful beginning to our Passover celebration here at Cedar Village!  On Monday afternoon, we were delighted to have Bill Frankel join us for a presentation and question and answer session.  Bill worked with the Birthright program for a number of years in Israel and actually moved to Israel some years ago.  He spoke with us about Birthright but also about why he chose to live in Israel and what life is like for those who live in Israel.  He also told us about a new project he is working on, establishing a foundation that will support the effort to find and purchase Judaica that had been removed from Jewish homes, largely during the time of the Holocaust.  These items of Judaica turn up in flea markets and other places throughout Eastern Europe and Bill's initiative is to find these items, purchase them and then return them to use in a Jewish community.  We had some lively conversation and there were lots of questions!

Later on Monday, of course, we held our annual Community Seder.  About 170 people filled the Wilbur and Mary Jean Cohen Religious and Cultural Center and Rabbi Walter led us in a fun and lively event, highlighted by music provided by our "Seder trio" of Dan Landau, Jude Jones and Ollie Rawlins. Their Seder music has become a beloved part of our tradition and really sets the tone for a festive event.  Later that evening, and on Tuesday evening as well, we held traditional Seders in the Garden Dining room, which gives us a full range of Passover observances.

On Thursday, at noon, we held the annual Health Care Seder.  It's a way for us to provide the Seder for those whose health needs or special care issues make it difficult for them to be a part of the community event.  We had over 120 folks in the Cohen Center for this event, also conducted by Rabbi Walter and highlighted by music with Dan Landau.  Our staff sit at the tables with the residents and we share this Seder as a family, making it very special for all of us. 

Friday's big event was our Chocolate Seder.  That's become another tradition for our Oak View and Fountain View residents and it is a delicious highlight of our holiday!  We serve chocolate milk instead of wine, our charoset is trail mix and we dip strawberries into chocolate instead of bitter herbs into salt water!  It is such fun and everyone loves it!

Wishing you a wonderful rest of your holiday-

All the best,  

carol@cedarvillage.org

www.cedarvillage.org