Seder creates cultural bridge

PAULINA VAZQUEZ-MORRIS

Seder participant Paulina Vazquez-Morris asks the four questions. Photo by Carlos Galindo-Elvira

Dear Maria,

I wish you had been in town on April 6. I participated in a very special model seder that evening at Temple Solel. The American Jewish Committee hosted the seder for the Hispanic Leadership Institute.

As a Jewish Latina, graduate of HLI and former board member of Valle del Sol (the sponsor organization of HLI), I found the evening to be particularly meaningful. It was the first time the two organizations joined forces, and it was clear the relationship will bring much to both memberships.

This is a special time of year, and I've always enjoyed the family aspects of Passover. Sharing the seder with other Latinos, however, enhanced the experience for the Jews and non-Jews alike. It provided an otherwise rare opportunity to bridge my two worlds, and allowed me to share knowledge about both communities.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Do you know what Passover is all about? I am guessing that like me (before I met my husband, Jason) you know very little about Jewish holidays, so I'll give you a little context.

Passover, or Pesach, is the oldest Jewish holiday and celebrates the beginning of the Jewish people. It was on Passover 3,000 years ago that the Israelites escaped from Egyptian slavery.

I don't have to remind you how central the family is to my Cuban/Mexican heritage. Perhaps that is why I feel so comfortable in my role as a Jewish wife and mother. The Passover seder exemplifies the central role of the family, and I think the model seder illustrated the similarities of the cultures represented.

Rabbi Robert Kravitz, with input from AJC board members, led the HLI students through the seder and I was honored to be asked to read the Four Questions that are integral to the night.

Rabbi Kravitz went through more of the Haggadah (the seder text that literally means the "telling") and wine. The part about the 10 plagues that God brought on the Egyptians always catches everyone's attention: blood, frogs, lice, beasts, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the killing of the first born. We talked about history as well as tradition. It became evident to all of us that tradition plays a huge role in Latino and Jewish culture alike.

Food is another common denominator that binds the Latin and Jewish cultures. We shared dinner (I forgot to find out where the great matzo ball soup came from) and had an opportunity to relax and chat. The conversation ranged from politics in Israel to immigration issues facing Arizona. I felt like a bridge was created between my two worlds, and I know that even though it was my 13th seder, I learn something new each time.

I am looking forward to celebrating Passover later this month with my family and friends. This year I'd like to start my own tradition in light of the AJC/HLI seder. I want to expose at least one new Latino friend to this wonderful holiday. Why don't you come down for this? I'll even let you find the afikomen!

Shalom,
Paulina