The traditions of Passover are rich and fulfilling and the Seder is always an opportunity to ask questions and explore our Jewish heritage. The Seder also provides a unique forum to share our traditions and teach our non-Jewish neighbors about our faith. Each year, the Jewish Community Federation's Community Relations Council offers area churches the opportunity to host model Seders and learn about Jewish traditions. Many Christian groups feel a real connection between Easter and Passover, so they are eager to learn more about this Jewish rite. This year 16 groups from across Kentuckiana requested model Seders and Deborah Topcik, chair of this year's program, coordinated the effort, ensuring that there were volunteers to lead each Seder.
Volunteers describe the program as a good experience.
They asked many questions at the end on a wide range of topics including where did the Jews in this country come from and what are Messianic Jews. Savkovich's daughter, Kate, helped her with the readings, chanted the four questions in Hebrew and hid the afikomen. The church, St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, videotaped the Seder. In fact, the pastor called her directly this year to arrange the Seder. It's a wonderful outreach opportunity and I would recommend that everyone do it - and take your family.