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Life Cycle

When I was working years ago, my partner was Jewish - and at the time I didn't know what Jud...

When I was working years ago, my partner was Jewish - and at the time I didn't know what Judaism was! One day my partner invited me to a shiva call when his mother passed away. I didn't know what it was but I was very moved by it. When I moved to queens, Cantor Fuchs had a meditation night at Hillcrest Jewish Center on Thursdays; I started going and was very moved. One day I saw in the Jewish Week an ad that ask, "Are you missing something?" And I felt that I was! I found a Rabbi who would sponsor me - Rabbi David Wise from the Hollis Hills Bayside Jewish Center - and I had my Bat Mitzvah - and I've had support from my children along the way. It's been 7 years!

JoAnn Luquis

Life Cycle

My mom has always been an important role model for me. When I first started studying for my ...

My mom has always been an important role model for me. When I first started studying for my Bat Mitzvah, my mom (who hadn't had a Bat Mitzvah herself) began studying too. It wasn't long before we were learning Torah tropes and practicing prayers together. My mom had her Bat Mitzvah first, and when it was time for mine, I was proud to stand on the bimah in our temple on Long Island and know I was following my mom's footsteps.

Holidays

I began my conversion to Judaism journey when I was 16, then was eagerly adopted by loving i...

I began my conversion to Judaism journey when I was 16, then was eagerly adopted by loving in-laws. My Moshe and I were more observant, so I usually did the prep and cleaning while his mom Esther did her famous pot roast and perfect charoset. Abe, a lay cantor, led the seder with gusto and was delighted when our son Yitz brought new tunes to use. After our move from LI to Queens, the seder moved with us, and our open doors meant a dozen or more guests added and yet more tunes. Mom joined Dad in heaven last year at age 99, but we still hear their voices in our grandkids' songs.

S. Malkah Cohen

Holidays

I just moved from the tri-state area to Maine for graduate school, and was not looking forwa...

I just moved from the tri-state area to Maine for graduate school, and was not looking forward to spending Passover alone. None of my friends up here are Jewish, and I had always attended seders at my school or at my family's home. I never hosted my own seder- until now. I invited three of my friends to their first ever seder, and went through the hole thing, including the hunt for the afikomen. I felt closer to home and to my new friends, and proud that I was able to host my own seder.

Emily Nocito

Holidays

The seder after my 47 year old stepdaughter died, we invited her mother and her husband to seder. Now it is our tradition to be together for holidays. This includes children, spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren. I think my darling stepdaughter ...

Holidays

I myself am not Jewish, however for the past 10 years I have been invited to one of my close...

I myself am not Jewish, however for the past 10 years I have been invited to one of my close friend's Seders. The story of Passover is explained and read aloud by friends and family.

Harold Chavez

Holidays

Every year during our Seder we open the door for Elijah. One year a cat ambling across our front porch must have been startled by the sudden opening of the door. I'm not sure who was more startled - our granddaughter or the cat! She screamed. The cat darted away. Everyone at the Seder was absolutely sure Elijah had been spotted that year. The scream absolutely shook his filled goblet. Or- maybe he did stop in for a sip!

Sandy Wasserman

Holidays

It wouldn't be our Seder without plague puppets! There's nothing better than a Passover Sed...

It wouldn't be our Seder without plague puppets! There's nothing better than a Passover Seder - family, singing, and jumping frogs.

Jennie Matte

Holidays

My mom's side of the family gets together on the first night and my father's side the second...

My mom's side of the family gets together on the first night and my father's side the second night. I'm not sure how that plan was hatched but it's been that way since I was a kid. Happy first night of Passover

Adam Cohen

Holidays

Just before Passover, my Dad would go into the closet to pull down the Passover pots, dishes, etc for my Mom! When I came home from school, my Mom had every thing set up! Before all of this, my Dad who worked in a Supermarket would bring home the list from HM so my Mother could pick what she needed and then Dad would bring it home. Both parents are gone now, but these cherished memories will be with me forever. May both Rest In Peace Always, Their Daughter Bernice Kritcher. PS I was in Public School when getting ready for the holiday. I am 71 years old and I remember it like yesterday!

Bernice Kritcher

Holidays

Every year at the seder when we open the door to let Elijah in, one of the older men at the seder rubs a table leg with his foot to disturb the cup of wine and make the children believes ...

Every year at the seder when we open the door to let Elijah in, one of the older men at the seder rubs a table leg with his foot to disturb the cup of wine and make the children believes Elijah is drinking. We became pretty familiar with this "custom". Then one year, while the door wasopen, the whole table moved even though nobody could have been responsible. Everyone was shocked but we soon realized a stray cat had wandered into the house while the door was open and was responsible.

I traditionally invite friends to the Seder. One year their toddler was in her high chair, fascinated by a little mobile of penguins hanging above her. As we recited the plagues, suddenly a little voice yelled "Penguins!" We all started ...

Holidays

A Tale of Two Uncles Our family Passover memories span three generations and two families. My uncle would arrive with a twinkle in his eyes, a cigar in his mouth and a pitch for my cheeks. He would lead the Seder all in Hebrew with the old Manaischewitz Haggadah and we would wait for instructions. It went like this. Mumble, mumble, mumble, we wash our hands, mumble mumble mumble we drink the wine, etc, etc until finally, mumble mumble mumble, now we eat. At the end, my uncle would finish by himself and we would join with our awful, off key singing. My husbands family had the new generation, inclusive style service. His uncle did the prayers in Hebrew but we all read responsively in English. He was especially proud each year as the youngest members proudly participated, carefully practicing their newly acquired reading skills. In both cases, family came first and memories were made with great love for tradition centered around wonderful food.

Helene Krasnoff

Holidays

I grew up in a traditional Jewish family in the Bronx, N. Y. My Mom only bought kosher meats and never allowed pork in the house. We never mixed milk and meat but did not really keep kosher. At Passover we cleaned out all the closets and bought all Passover food. We had the Seder at our house both nights since neither of my parents sisters had married. My father did the condensed Seder but did go through all of the steps. It was always fun watching my Dad prepare the churoset. He did it so carefully making dyer everything was chopped just right. My Mom prepared all the traditional foods. They are all wonderful memories.

Ann Michelson

Holidays

Only my second or third Passover with my wife and her family, we were playing a board game with her great uncle (about 85 years old). Can't remember the name of the game but the card we pulled I'll never forget - list things that make you cool. Her great uncle wrote his responses; "cocaine and hookers". Chag Sameach!

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