“Arise and come away; for lo, the winter is passed. Flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing is here. The song of the dove is heard in our land.” Song of Songs 2:10-12

Rabbi Jeremy Simons, Director of Rabbinical Services for The Institute of Southern Jewish Life based in Jackson, MS, will lead Temple B’Nai Israel in Shabbat Services on Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. with an Oneg (social) following. Simons will then lead in the Temple’s Passover observance with a Seder Supper on Saturday, March 28 at 6 p.m.

The Seder Supper is open to all but reservations are requested and space is limited to 70 people. The cost is $30 per person.

The Seder really is a wonderful experience. The central focus is a meal instructing adults and children of the tradition of Jewish heritage of liberation from slavery. The Seder meal (Seder means order) follows a ritual order with symbolic foods telling (Haggadah) the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The meal will be what we call “soft kosher,” where we serve brisket with many trimmings. Observant Jews will not mix dairy with the meat. It is a full meal with the 13 blessings, four of which include wine or juice.

The story of Passover is something most people know and have read in the Hebrew Bible, the (Old) Testament if Christian or seen in such movies as The Ten Commandments about the persecution and enslavement of the Hebrew’s and Exodus from Egypt. The Hebrew’s were enslaved to the Pharaohs of Egypt and were used to build monuments throughout the kingdom. God seeing their plight sent Moses with a message to release his people and let them go free to serve Him. After numerous warnings (plagues etc.) destroying many parts of the Egyptians way of life God sent the final of the 10 plagues on the Pharaoh’s people. At the stroke of midnight the first born male in every household of Egypt would die.

The Hebrew’s spread lambs blood over their doorways to be spared the curse and thus the term Passover was born. The following day Pharaoh told them to leave and they left in such haste that their bread did not even have time to rise as they left on their 40-year trip to The Promised Land.

For those of you who have not met Rabbi Simons, you will leave extremely moved and impressed. He is a wonderfully spiritual and gifted person who delivers a wonderful message. The Seder will begin at 6 p.m. promptly and you should use the door on the Washington Street side at the front of the building since the Seder will be held in the community center below the Temple.

The entire event lasts about two hours including dinner. There are five steps down into the event space, but if assistance is required, we will gladly help where needed.

Please call Beau Bumgardner at 601-304-0170 or email at pariswin@bellsouth.net and give the number in your party.

This usually sells out, so please call or email early to insure your reservation.

Paris Winn is a member of Temple B’Nai Israel