BANGOR, Maine — Jews around the globe will gather with family and friends Monday evening to recall their ancestors’ exodus from Egypt and the beginning of their journey to freedom in the land of Israel on Passover.
While the celebration of the holiday, which lasts for eight days, includes special foods, such as the unleavened bread called matzo, all branches of Judaism emphasize freedom during Seders.
“Passover commemorates the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt a few thousand years ago, yet it is replete with timeless lessons that apply in our own times,” Rabbi Steven Schwarzman, spiritual leader of Beth Israel in Bangor, told the Bangor Daily News last year. “At the Passover Seder, we invite all who are hungry to come in and eat. We invite all who are in need — and this includes spiritual need — to join with us.”
Synagogues in Bangor and Rockland will hold community Seders on Tuesday, the second night of Passover, to do just that. All three synagogues require reservations.
Adas Yoshuron Synagogue of Rockland will hold its community Seder at 6 p.m., with the meal beginning at 7:30 p.m., at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 11 White St., in Rockland. The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under, free for children under 5. The maximum fee for a family is $50. For reservations, call 594-4523 or email yoshuron@midcoast.com or visit http://www.midcoast.com/~yoshuron/.
Congregation Beth El of Bangor will hold its community Seder at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Cost will be $36 for adults, $18 for children under 12. For information, call 945-4578 or email congregationbeth.el@myfairpoint.net or visit http://www.me002.urj.net/.
Congregation Beth Israel, 144 York St., Bangor will hold its traditional kosher Seder in the Epstein Room at the synagogue. Services will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the meal served at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $28 for adults, $14 for children ages 5 to 12. For information, call 945-3433 or visit http://www.cbisrael.org/.