Passover, one of the most celebrated holidays in the Jewish world, commemorates the biblical exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
The week-long holiday is celebrated by abstaining from chametz (leavened food) and instead eating matzah, unleavened bread. The central ritual of Passover is the Seder (SAY-der), a carefully choreographed ritual meal that takes place on the first night of Passover at home with family and friends or with the community. The Seder begins by reading the Haggadah (Ha-ga-DAH), a 2,000-year-old book which retells the story of the exodus from Egypt in detail. The purpose of retelling the ancient story is so that each and every person at the Seder will feel as though he personally came out of Egypt.
An essential part of the Seder is eating ritual foods symbolic of the journey from slavery to freedom:
Wine (four cups): symbols of joy;
Bitter herbs: reminding us of the suffering of slavery;
Green leafy vegetables: representing the growth of spring and the continuation of the Jewish people;
Matzah (a thin, crisp unleavened bread): which is both the poor bread of slaves and the symbol of our freedom.
A Passover Seder will be observed Monday, April 22, at 5 p.m. at Manix Restaurant (new location: Carretera Poniente #111, Ajijic, across from Strom White) and will be open to the community.
Reservations must be made and paid for in advance no later than April 10 at the following locations and times:
Black Coffee (across from Walmart): Tuesday, April 2, and Tuesday, April 9, 10 a.m. to noon on both days.
Black and White Café (Ajijic Plaza, across from El Jardin): Friday, April 5, noon to 2 p.m., and Wednesday, April 10, noon to 2 p.m.
Diane Pearl’s Gallery (Sta. Margarita 23 in Riberas del Pilar): Monday, April 1 to Wednesday, April 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sunday, April 7).
For further information, contact Maureen Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..