This year, we celebrated a holiday I coined “Easter-over”. It was intended to be a non-denominational hybrid of Easter, and Passover.
Of the 9 guests, there were 3 non-practicing Jews, a couple of lapsed Catholics, and a few others that didn’t have much of an affiliation to any formalized religion at all.
It was the ideal celebration for me. It paid respect to multiple cultures and holidays, and incorporated lots of different foods.
Wasn’t it ironic, that by the end of the evening, all the “non-Jews” were asking where their favorite part of the Seder went? Someone hid a matzo, someone else set out a glass of wine for Elijah the Prophet. Others asked where the haroset, (an apple, nut and wine concoction reminiscent of mortar) was.
I was initially surprised but ultimately realized that the religious implications of the day did not play a significant role. Being with “family”, in this case a multi-cultural group that shared no blood but lots of love and history, was the most important aspect. Those familiar foods and rituals had become an important part of our “family’s” heritage.
Perhaps Easter-over will become a new tradition. If you don’t celebrate Passover or Easter, celebrate spring. Next year go ahead and serve ham and matzo balls if you want to, just do something meaningful with people who love you.
The Easter bunny came and went, and Elijah drank his sweet kosher wine. The matzo was found, and the leftovers packed away. Hopefully the memories will live on.
Happy Easter-over everyone!
photo: Glasshouse Images
Indigo jones 