The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-04-04
B'nai Zion Congregation To
End Passover Holiday Tues.
BY Rabbi Abraham Schwartz


B'nai Zion Congregation win
celebrate the last two days of the
eight day Passover Holiday with
services starting Sunday even
ing, April 5th at 700 p. m. fol-
lowed by another at 7:30 a. m.
on Monday morning. They will
continue, twice daily, until Tues
day evening when the Passover
Holiday will end 20 minutes after
sunset.
A memorial service which is
known as Yiskor Maskir Nasho-
mos in Hebrew will take place on
Tuesday morning at $3.50 a. m.
These rites are dedicated to the
memory of departed dear ones.
The first two days of the Pass
over celebration were very nicely
attended by members and out of
town guests including servicemen
In the area.
The usual tradition of the seder
from members was. held in homes
where many guests we're invited.
This year marked a new Ugh in
the observance Of the Seder.
A model Seder will be held for
the children of the Sunday School
this coming Sunday morning at
1000 am. in the social hall of the
Synagogue sponsored by the La.
dies Auxiliary Of the congregation
in charge and Rabbi Abraham
Schwartz.
Matzos (unleavened bread) was
sent out to servicemen at the Ma.
val Bases by Rabbi Schwartz to
aid servicemen in refraining from
eating bread during the eight
days of the Passover, which is
strictly forbidden by the Jewish
religion.
Passover Story
Our ancestors, over 1000 years
ago, began the fight for freedom
and liberty Of humanity true to
their great leader Moses in An
cient Egypt where their an
guished cries were heard by God
who sent Moses to demand Of
Pharo, who was the king and ty.
rant dictator of Egypt that he
freed the Israelite subjects.
When Pharo defied the divine
will. ten plaques were inflicted
upon the Egyptians. These af.
flictions, especially the last one,
"the shifting Of the first born. .
had the desired effect and the
Isrselites we're hastily sent out.
Their departure is known as
the Exodus. !" Some time later
the Egyptians had a change of
heart and decided to pursue the
Israelites to put them back into
slavery.
As the refugees were approach.
ing the Red Sea, they discovered
they were being pursued by the
Egyptians and Historically cried
for help.
God then said to Moses, "Tell
the children of Israel to move for.
ward. Order them to advance. Let
them. If need be, plunge into the
waters Of the sea-"
The Israelites obeyed and as
they moved forward, a great mir
acle occurred. the waters spread
apart. opening a path for the Is.
ralities to cross safely but when
the Egyptians attempted to fol-
low them the waters of the Red
Sea returned to their original
position. drowning the pursurers.
This divine redemption. inspired
Moses and the Israelites to offer
. song Of Thanksgiving:
The Lord is my strength and
song he is my salvation"
In conclusion, let us pray 10
the Lord that all peoples of the
world everywhere viii soon be
free Of all dictators and enjoy
freedom and liberty as we enjoy
in our blessed country. the U. S.
A.
The seder ritual with all It's
customs prepared and observed
Is mainly done in commemoration
Of the ancestors who were the
forefathers Of the Jewish people.
II Is important to attend the
services 50 that the divine power
may help ns and all freedom low
ing people that slavery Of hu.
manity may never occur again.