Evolve
Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations
An Initiative of Reconstructing Judaism
The holiday of Pesakh/Passover is called Zeman Heruteinu—the Season of Our Liberation. We remember and re-enact the Exodus from Egyptian slavery, and we are prompted to rededicate ourselves to working for the liberation of all people today and for our own liberation from the personal constraints we each face. We offer three new approaches to this process, and have collected past Evolve essays about Pesakh by:
Connective Conversations
Coming to the Table Across Difference
With Dr. Michelle Friedman and Rabbanit Dalia Davis
"There are some stereotypical tropes around the “stress of Pesach prep”, but, this year, there’s a different element of anxiety in the air.
This year more than any other year, we may also be anxious when thinking about gathering around the Passover Seder table and sitting across from family, guests with radically different worldviews than our own.
What controversial topics may arise during the Seder or the time spent together with family, friends, and community members?
Are we emotionally, mentally and spiritually prepared to encounter opinions that may be jarring and that may leave us feeling stunned, livid, isolated, and removed from the celebratory rituals of Pesach?
This year, preparing to encounter difficult conversations may be a critical and nurturing element of our Pesach preparation."
Ritualwell’s yearly Omer campaign guarantees our capacity to provide you with complimentary ritual tools, interactive Jewish learning experiences, and a lively, encouraging community for significant communal and personal occasions in your life.
During the counting of the Omer, join Ritualwell for seven free workshops, featuring dynamic facilitators, so you can count on telling your story.
Please consider honoring Ritualwell with a personally meaningful contribution this Omer season so that our community can continue to flourish. Your donation registers you for all of the workshops; you can attend as many workshops as you choose.
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April 22 is the night of the first Seder. The day before, April 22, is Earth Day. We are making available two possible Sedarim — one from a couple of years ago called Earth & Justice Freedom-Seder, wonderfully designed by Rabbi Nate DeGroot, an exciting text mostly by me, and a gorgeous cover illustration by Israeli artist Avi Katz.
Sunday, April 7
How to Make a Moroccan Passover Feast
A flavor-packed seder meal awaits you in this hour-long cooking class.
A moist lamb tagine slow-cooked with saffron, apricots and much more. A soothing North African fava bean soup. A bright citrus and fennel salad. Rich charoset truffles. You can easily cook this Moroccan Passover feast!
In this hour-long class, Rachel Emquies Sheff and Sharon Gomperts — AKA the Sephardic Spice Girls — will teach you how to incorporate centuries-old Moroccan-Jewish techniques and flavors into your seder meal this year.
In addition to the live instruction on Zoom, all registrants will receive recipes and a recording of the class.
Savor and Lilith are here to spice up your Passover and soothe your spirit! On Sunday, April 7, 1-2:30 pm ET| 12-1:30 pm CT| 10-11:30 am PT, join Chef Susan Barocas and Ladino singer Sarah Aroeste for an afternoon of Sephardic food and music to make it your best Passover ever! Learn to make two iconic Sephardic Passover dishes with Susan, sing along with Sarah—and bring all of your Passover cooking questions. We're here to help.
With participating sponsorship from Women of Reform Judaism, this virtual event is made possible at no cost to participants—all you need to do is tell us you’re coming.
How have I never heard of this??? It's gluten free!
Masa Tiganitas is Sephardi Matzah Brei, But Much Better
Baklava meets matzah brei in this delicious Greek dish for Passover.
By Rachel Ringler | April 14, 2020
"...In Sternberg’s version, matzah squares are soaked in milk, dipped in a combination of egg and yogurt and then fried in oil. As opposed to matzah brei, or bumelos de masa, the matzah in Sternberg’s recipe is not crushed. They are left whole, dunked, fried and then sweetened with a drizzle of honey or arrope (a syrup made of grapes), and topped with a sprinkling of walnuts. Think fried matzah meets baklava. I am in love.
Recipe reprinted with permission from “The Sephardic Kitchen” by Rabbi Robert Sternberg..."
The Kveller Haggadah: A Seder for Curious Kids (and their Grownups) Paperback – March 10, 2020 by Kveller (Author), Elissa Strauss (Author), Gabrielle Birkner (Author), Grace Yagel (Illustrator)
"...This beautiful and colorful text includes commentaries from Ruby Namdar, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, Rabbi Sari Laufer, Rabbi Shais Rishon and Rabbi Ruti Regan. It also features insights from renowned memory researchers, who help us understand how memory works and the connections between memory & food (after all, the seder plate is full of "memory foods").
This haggadah is both rich & accessible, kid-friendly without overlooking the dramatic tensions at the center of the Passover story..."
This Purim and Passover, explore delicious Sephardic holiday traditions and food from Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq and more through music, cooking demonstrations and lively conversations with Lilith and Savor: A Sephardic Music & Food Experience.
Hosted by chef Susan Barocas and singer Sarah Aroeste, these gatherings by Zoom take place on March 10 and April 7, 1:00-2:30 pm ET|. Join us to learn recipes from global Savor chefs including the Sephardic Spice Girls Rachel Emquies Sheff & Sharon Gomperts, cookbook author Viviane Bowell and Marcia Weingarten & Kaye Israel from Bendichas Manos.
You won’t want to miss these two Savor Sundays filled with music, spice, inspiration and delight. Cosponsored by Women of Reform Judaism.
"Four states originally had #primaries scheduled for April 23, the first full day of #Passover. But Delaware, Rhode Island and Maryland all moved their elections to different dates.
Not everyone can be #vegan or #vegetarian (not everyone has the same resources).
Many people live in food deserts, or don't have the money to spend, on special diets.
Some of us have disabilities and/or allergies that prevent them from eating a meat-free diet.
(I used to be in the former group, but I'm still in the latter. Mushroom allergies & having one's favorite vegetarian foods on one's "no-no" list suuuuucks).
@RamenCatholic It's still a choice. I've maintained a #vegan diet during #Passover and that is definitely a challenge, but it can be done. It's still a choice. Now, I can agree with you if someone relies only on no-cost food; food given to you will not all be vegan. That might be one instance where there is little choice.
In today’s fun repartee with a #Jewish theme, Ari Melber, in reference to todays #indictment says something like - “there’s a line in the #Passover Seder that is relevant here that you might not know about” - to which Alex Wagner responds - “well, I call it #Pesach (BAM)” Ari continues— “why is this indictment different than any other indictment?” #Mazeldon#msnbc@MSNBC
Happy Day of Second Chances - Pesach Sheini - Second Passover This is the holiday to honor the people who were doing the greatest kindness of all... attending to the dead... and thus unable to participate in the Pesach feast when it rolled around the first time. It is a celebration of kindness and ultimate caring for the interests of another human being who can give nothing in return.
So eat a bit of left-over matzah with a kavanah to their honor...