Several hundred people gathered at the B’Nai Israel Congregation in Rockville shortly after sundown last night to celebrate the opening of Passover — an eight-day holy period involving symbols and gatherings commemorating the exodus of Jewish slaves from ancient Egypt.
The event marking the Seder, the opening ritual of the Jewish holiday, was sponsored by the D.C. Society of Young Professionals and the Jewish Sports and Social Network and injected a community feeling and a social atmosphere to the holiday.
“It’s much more a celebration done among families,” said Harley Liebenson, executive director of the 10,000-member Jewish Sports and Social Network. “The reason we started this particular Seder was because we were seeing a community that didn’t have family nearby.”
His organization has been sponsoring the first-night Seder for 10 years.
In a ballroom setting, which was open to persons of all faiths, were tables of 10, some of which were set aside for singles and some of which included families.
“We do this to create a sense of community,” said Michael Karlan, a founder of the D.C. Society of Young Professionals. The society has 40,000 members in and around the District and sponsors social and educational events not limited to any particular religion.
Matya Block, 31, an advertising professional from Bethesda, said she was notified of the Seder celebration through the society. Recently divorced and with her family out of town, Ms. Block said last night was the first time she had celebrated the holiday in the community setting.
“I’ve heard about this, but I had never been,” she said. “It’s great. It’s just great.”
Cantor Maurice Singer, of the Adas Israel Congregation of Northwest, led the observance, offering detailed instructions and explanations for each symbol and each step.
“Just to be able to get together with 400 or more people is just amazing,” Mr. Singer said.
The word “passover” derives from a biblical account that says God intended to force the Egyptian pharaoh, Ramses II, who had enslaved Israelites, to free them by killing the first-born son in every house.
Hebrew prophet Moses told Israelites to mark their doors with lamb’s blood so God’s wrath would pass by their homes, exempting them from the punishment.
The Seder includes a lavish meal on a traditional Seder plate, with each food representing a different symbol from Jewish history.
Matzo, a bread made without yeast, is intended to remind Jews of the Israelites’ hasty flight from Egypt, which afforded little time for the bread to leaven.
Many parents view the Seder as a means to teach their children the religious and cultural symbols of freedom. The Haggadah — meaning “the telling” — is a part of the Seder that holds the most significance as it recounts the story of the escape from slavery.
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