Seders

Passover Seders

Passover Seders Open to the Community

ShalomBoston.com is pleased to present this list of seders as a community service. We will be adding to it as more open seders become known to us. Please check back for the most up-to-date list. You may email us information about your organization's seder at info@shalomboston.com.

First Night – Saturday, April 19
Second Night – Sunday, April 20
Model and Special Interest Seders

FIRST NIGHT – SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2008

Boston

The Boston Synagogue (Unaffiliated)

55 Martha Road, Charles River Park, Boston
617-523-0453 or office@bostonsynagogue.org
6:30 p.m. Service; 7:00 p.m. Seder. Join us for a spirited, warm, traditional seder with a fully catered kosher dinner in downtown Boston. Share your melodies and make new friends. The seder will be led by Dr. David Fishman, an alum of the Boston area and currently Professor of Modern Jewish History at The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. He is a world-renowned authority on the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. Dr. Fishman will be flying in for Passover from Vilna, where he is on a Fulbright – and will share highlights of his experiences during the course of the seder. Reservation with payment must by received by April 9th. Member: $45; non-member: $55; children under 10: $25. Call for student pricing. MC/Visa accepted. The Boston Synagogue is transdenominational egalitarian, welcoming people wherever they might be on their spiritual journey. For more information and to make seder dinner reservations, please call or email.

Brookline

Chabad Center of Brookline (Chabad)
Seder held at the Holiday Inn, 1200 Beacon Street, Brookline
617-739-1999 or http://www.chabadbrookline.com/
8:00 p.m. Far from home? Alone for Pesach? Join a Community Seder! A traditional seder, warm family-like atmosphere, traditional Pesach food, hand-baked Shmura Matzo, songs, mystical insights, discussion, and a chance for everyone to participate! Cost: $36/adult, $20/student, $18/child under 12. A reservation is required by Tuesday, April 15. For information, reservations, and payment, please call or visit the web site.

Chabad Chai Center (Chabad)

Brookline location given with RSVP
617-278-2424 or mailto:mayshe@getchai.com
p.m. Meet new friends in the holiday atmosphere of extended family. Enjoy the seders, as the story of Exodus comes alive through mystical meanings and kabbalistic insights of Rabbi Mayshe Schwartz. Then, enjoy a full-course feast, with all the traditional delicacies, including hand-baked shmurah matzah from Israel and plenty of wine. Cost is $36 per person. Please call or email for more information or to RSVP.

Peabody

Chabad of Peabody (Chabad)

Location given upon reservation
978-977-9111 or info@jewishpeabody.com
Approximately 8:15 p.m. User-friendly seder…keeping with tradition, but arranged to make everyone comfortable, with English readings and funny and moving commentary running throughout. Led by Rabbi Nechemia Schusterman. $36 per person; space is limited.

Wellesley

Wellesley Weston Chabad (Chabad)

793 Worcester Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-239-1076 or chabadwellesley@aol.com
8:15 p.m. There's a place for you at our Passover table. Come celebrate in traditional elegance. Enjoy a seder complete with wine, handmade matzah, and a full-course Pesach dinner. Spiced with the unique traditional songs and insights. Cost: Family $75, Couple $50, Adult $36, Children & Students $18 (no one turned away due to lack of funds). Experience the deeper meaning of Passover! For information and reservations, please call the Chabad office.

SECOND NIGHT – SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008

Andover (Conservative)
501 So. Main Street, Andover
978-474-0540 or office@bethisraelmv.org
6:45 p.m. Congregation Beth Israel in Andover, the Merrimack Valley’s Conservative congregation, invites the community to its second night seder. Rabbi Daniel Schweber will lead the seder for all ages and dinner will be catered by Todd Levine, Tevya Catering. The cost is $40 for adults and $22 for children under 12. Please make reservations by April 11 by phone or email.

Havurat Shalom of Andover (Reconstructionist)
Christ Church, 25 Central St., Andover, MA 01810
978-777-3349 or pjgrover@comcast.net
5:00 p.m. Rabbi Karen Landy will lead the seder, which includes a potluck dinner. Cost is $5 per person or $15 per family. RSVP is requested by April 11. Please call or email Paula for more information or to RSVP.

Temple Emanuel (Reform)

7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, MA 01810
978-470-1356; info@templeemanuel.net; http://www.templeemanuel.net/
6:00 p.m. Cost is $60 for adults, $36 for children under 16. Deadline for reservations is April 10. Please call or email for more information.

Brighton

Center Makor and Temple Bnai Moshe (Non-affiliated)

1845 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA 02135
617-771-4870 or foygelmanvl@comcast.net
7:30 p.m. A RUSSIAN COMMUNITY SEDER to benefit the children of Sderot. Proceeds will be sent to Israeli children affected by the recent rocket attacks. Cost is $55 general; $25 for senior citizens, students and children. Reservations are requested by April 16. For reservations or more information, please call or email.

Brookline

Combined Jewish Philanthropies Young Leadership Division (Unaffiliated)

Seder held at Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline
617-457-8746 or elishag@cjp.org
You’re invited to ask the four questions at YLD’s First Annual Second Night Seder. Over 150 young adults, brand-new YLD haggadah, 4 glasses of wine, incredible afikomen prizes, and a chance to celebrate Passover with new friends and old. The evening will include a full Passover seder led by YLD volunteers and trained professionals, a traditional Passover meal, a unique twist on the 10 plagues, and a fun, social evening. Join us to celebrate old and new Passover traditions at this not-to-be-missed second-night seder. Dietary laws will be observed. $36 in advance, $45 at the door. For more information, contact Elisha by phone or email (above). Register online at http://www.cjp.org/page.html?ArticleID=170972 .

Chabad Chai Center (Chabad)

Brookline location given with RSVP
617-278-2424 or mayshe@getchai.com
7:30 p.m. FOR YOUNG ADULTS. Meet new friends in the holiday atmosphere of extended family. Enjoy the seders, as the story of Exodus comes alive through mystical meanings and kabbalistic insights of Rabbi Mayshe Schwartz. Then, enjoy a full-course feast, with all the traditional delicacies, including hand-baked shmurah matzah from Israel and plenty of wine. Cost is $36 per person. Please call or email for more information or to RSVP.

Canton

Temple Beth David of the South Shore (Reform)
1060 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021
781-828-2275 or mailto:info@templebethdavid.com
p.m. There will be a traditional seder with a full course Passover dinner, music, and more. The seder will be lead by the temple's Cantorial Soloist Howard Worona. The cost is $32 for ages 12 and up; $20 for ages 6-11; and $5 for children 5 and under. Deadline for reservations is March 26. Please call or email for more information or to RSVP.

Chestnut Hill

Congregation Mishkan Tefila (Conservative)
300 Hammond Pond Parkway, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-332-7770 or mailto:secretary@cmt.org
7:00 p.m. All in the community are warmly invited to share in the telling of the Passover story with your family and friends at our annual Passover seder. Mincha service at 6:45 p.m.; seder service begins at 7:00 p.m.; seder meal begins just after 7:45 p.m. This is the second year that we will use Tova's Catering, glatt kosher and licensed by the Va'ad. Last year's main meal was chicken marsala for adults; a little bit different, and we received rave reviews! Cost is $36 per adult, $20 per child 5-12 years of age, and free for under 5 years of age. For reservations or further information, please contact Harriet Charnitsky by phone or email (see above).

Etz Chaim (Reform)
Seder at Franklin Federated Church
508-528-5337 or admin@temple-etzchaim.org
6:00 p.m. Leave all the preparation to us! From gefilte fish to macaroons, Sodexho, Dean College’s Culinary Team, will cook it all and Rabbi David Widzer and Rachel will lead us all. Cost for non-members: Adults $27, children (3-10) $14, children under 3 free. Reservations are due no later than April 1st. Please bring copies of “A Passover Haggadah” from the CCAR, the Baskin Edition; bring extra copies, if you can, to share. Haggadot will be available for purchase – call the Temple office. Franklin Federated Church has a ramp in the dining room that will be open for handicap access. Please make your check payable to Temple Etz Chaim and mail it to Temple Etz Chaim, 900 Washington St., Franklin, MA 02038, along with your name and address and the number of adult and children reservations. Please call or email with questions or for more information.

Holliston

Temple Beth Torah (Conservative)
2162 Washington Street (Route 16), Holliston, MA 01748
508-842-6268 or tbt@bethtorah.org
6:00 p.m. Members, their families, friends, and individuals from Holliston and surrounding communities are welcome to join us for our annual Second Night Congregational Seder, led by Rabbi Kideckel. Cost for non-members: Adults $30/person, Children 7-12 $20/person, Children 3-6: $10/person. Temple Beth Torah Holliston members are invited free of charge. Donations are appreciated. Please bring an unopened bottle of Kosher for Passover wine for your family. Please make a reservation by April 7 by contacting the TBT office by phone or email and then sending your check to the above address before the seder.

Jamaica Plain

Nehar ShalomBoston (Non-affiliated)
43 Lochstead Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-522-3618
6:45 p.m. Please join us at our community seder. All are welcome! We will daven ma'ariv at 6:45 p.m. and start the seder at 7:15 p.m. The food will be vegetarian. Cost is $30 for adults; $15 for children 6-12; free for children under 6. For financial assistance, please contact Rabbi Reinstein. RSVP is requested by April 11. For more information or to register, please call or visit the web site at http://www.neharshalom.org/ (click on the link to the seder).

Martha’s Vineyard (Vineyard Haven)

Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center (Reform)
Centre Street, Vineyard Haven
508-693-0745 (tel) or 508-693-1350 (fax)
5:00 P.m. You are invited to attend the MVHC Passover Seder, which will be led by Rabbi Caryn Broitman. The Center will cater the meal, which will be prepared by The Butcherie, Brookline, MA. The menu includes, Chicken Soup & Matzo Balls, Gefilte Fish, Chopped Liver, Charoses, Oven-Roasted Chicken, Brisket, Potato Kugel, Tzimmes, Vegetables, Matzo, Kosher Wine, and Passover Desserts. As seating space is limited, reservations are required. The cost is $36 per person, $16 for children ages 6-12, children under 6 are free. For reservations, please mail or fax your check or credit card information, along with your name, phone number, and the number of reservations in each category, before April 7th or you may call the office. The mailing address is Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, Centre Street, P.O. Box 692, MA 02568. Vegetarian meals will only be available by advance request.

New Bedford

Ahavath Achim Synagogue (Orthodox)
385 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
6:00 p.m. Services, followed by the seder. Ahavath Achim hosts the Ethel and Nathan Kaplan Communal Seder. $22 for non-members and $20 for members. No one will be turned away. Please join us.

Newton

Congregation Or Yisrael (Conservative)
South Brookline address given with RSVP
info@oryisrael.com or 617-244-9246
7:30 p.m. Come join Newton’s newest conservative synagogue for a very special second seder. Our own Rabbi Pritzker will lead us in prayer as we celebrate the freedom of the Jewish people. The seder, catered by Provender, includes a 5-course chicken dinner (vegetarian options are available). Dietary laws are observed. Cost is $60 for adults; $30 for children 5-12; and free for children under 5 who share with a sibling or parent. Individual soup can be ordered for $5. For reservations or more information, please email or call.

Temple Beth Avodah (Reform)
45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton, 02459
617-527-0045
6:00 p.m. You and yours are invited to attend our second evening Passover seder in the Social Hall at Temple Beth Avodah, conducted by Rabbi Keith Stern and Susan Glickman. Cost is $34 for ages 13 & over, $17 for ages 4-12, and no charge for ages 3 & under. Please RSVP by sending a check, indicated the number of children and adults, to the temple, or call the office for more information or reservations.

Northampton

Congregation B’nai Israel (Conservative)
253 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Bnai.israel@verizon.net or 413-584-3593
Seder held after 6:00 p.m. services. Non-member cost: $45 per adult, $15 per child. Donations are welcomed to offer assistance to those who might otherwise be unable to attend. Please send your payment to Congregation B’nai Israel by April 9. Indicate the names of attendees, phone number, and number of adults, children, and vegetarian meals.

Peabody

Temple Beth Shalom (Reform)
489 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960
bdavison@templebethshalom.org or 978-535-2100
5:30 p.m. A Second Night Seder conducted by Cantorial Intern, Colman Reaboi, catered by Tevya (a division of Larry Levine’s). Cost: $60 for each non-member guest. For reservations, send check made payable to Temple Beth Shalom to arrive at the Temple office no later than April 14th. Please indicate the number of adults and children, your name, phone number, and email address.

Wakefield

Temple Emmanuel (Unaffiliated)
120 Chestnut Street, Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-1886 or www.templeemmanuel/wakefield.org
6:00 p.m. Rabbi Mark Newton will lead the festivities at this traditional seder. Temple Emmanuel is an independent synagogue, serving Jewish families north of Boston for over 60 years. Its social hall is now handicapped accessible by mean of a new stair lift chair. We welcome interfaith families. Reservations to be paid in advance; for more information, contact Lydia Carpe: 781-245-2414.

Wellesley

Wellesley Weston Chabad (Chabad)
793 Worcester Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-239-1076 or chabadwellesley@aol.com
8:15 p.m. There's a place for you at our Passover table. Come celebrate in traditional elegance. Enjoy a seder complete with wine, handmade matzah, and a full-course Pesach dinner. Spiced with the unique traditional songs and insights. Cost: Family $75, Couple $50, Adult $36, Children & Students $18 (no one turned away due to lack of funds). Experience the deeper meaning of Passover! For information and reservations, please call the Chabad office.

Westwood

Temple Beth David (Reform)
7 Clapboardtree Road, Westwood, MA 02090
781-589-5989 or thehomedecorator@aol.com
6:00 p.m. You are invited to join us as we host our annual seder. We anticipate an upbeat, multi-generational evening; seder and service being led by our own Rabbi Jeffrey Wildstein. Our traditional Family Seder catered meal will include soup, dinner, dessert and beverages. Cost for the dinner is $45 per adult and $20 per child. The seder is not a fundraiser, but a community event. Make the holiday a bit easier, bring your entire family, your out-of-town guests, your friends or just yourself and join your extended family for a wonderful evening. For reservations, please send a check, noting number of guests (children and adults), to the address above or simply leave a check at the temple office with the word SEDER written on the envelope by April 7th. For questions regarding the seder, please call or email Deb Ellis (see above).

Israel (Unaffiliated)
93 Veterans Road, Winthrop 02152
617-846-1390
5:30 p.m. Temple members and anyone in Winthrop and the surrounding communities who would like to experience the special tradition of a Passover seder are invited. The seder will be conducted in both Hebrew and English in order to accommodate the diversity of our guests and includes a full-course catered meal. Cost: adults - $35; children under 12 - $20. Reservations are due by April 11 and must be accompanied by payment in full. Please specify how many people will be attending and provide a telephone number at which you can be contacted. Call the phone number above for reservations and additional information.

MODEL AND SPECIAL INTEREST SEDERS

Miriam's Seder: Eighth Annual Women's Intergenerational Community Seder

Sunday, March 30, 2008 4:00-8:00 p.m.
At Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover. This seder is proudly sponsored by The Women's Philanthropy of the Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation, in association with Temple Emanuel (Andover), Congregation Beth Israel (Andover), Havurat Shalom (Andover), Temple Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley (Lowell), Congregation Shalom (North Chelmsford), Temple Shir Hadash (Westford), Temple Emanu-El (Haverhill), Chabad Women's Circle (Andover & Westford), and Southern Merrimack Valley Chapter of Hadassah. All women, sisters, mothers, daughters (over the age of 8) are invited to join us for a festive evening of singing and dancing, while retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Miriam's Seder will be led by Rabbi Karen Landy, Spiritual Leader of Havurat Shalom and Temple Shir Hadash, with musical accompaniment by Rhea Simon Skoler. Pre-Passover shopping at our Shuk (Crafters Marketplace) from 4:00-5:30 p.m., while enjoying complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine, and soft drinks. Adults: $36; Children (8-18 years): $18 – includes chicken or vegetarian dinner and seder. Catering by Andrew (glatt kosher). Registration with check payable to the Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation must be sent in to the office at Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation, P.O. Box 937, Andover, MA 01810, no later than Wednesday, March 19. Call the Federation Office at 978-688-0466 with questions. For those of you who attended previous seders, please bring your Mayan Haggadah to this year's program.

A Women's Community Seder

Sunday, March 30, 2008 4:00-7:00 p.m.
At Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Road, Lexington. Temple Emunah of Lexington cordially invites all women – daughters, mothers, sisters, and friends – to L'Dor Va Dor: From Generation to Generation, A Women's Community Seder, as told in the voices of women who saved us. The seder will be led by the Temple's Women's Seder Committee, and will feature singer and guitarist Rachel Cole. The seder will combine music, sharing and learning as we celebrate the unique role that women of the Bible have in the Passover story. We will dance, sing, and eat in the spirit of the Passover seder. Light refreshments will be served. We will once again be collecting donations for the Be'er Sova soup kitchen in Israel. The seder is a joint program of Temple Emunah's Adult Education Committee, Family Education Committee, and Sisterhood. Temple membership is not required to participate. Cost is $20 per person. Please bring a Passover haiku to share at your table (5-7-5 syllable poem). RSVP is requested by March 22. To register, send your name, address, email address, and check, payable to Temple Emunah, to the Temple at 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA 02421. For more information, please call 781-861-0300 or email adulted@emunahlex.org.

16th Annual North Shore Interfaith Seder

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 6:00 p.m.
At the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore, 4 Community Road, Marblehead
For more information, contact Shana Finkelstein at sfinkelstein@adl.org.

The Israel Seder

Sunday, April 6, 2008 5:00 p.m.
At Congregation Or Atid, 97 Concord Road, Wayland. Come celebrate Israel's history and accomplishments in a special Seder created for Israel's 60th birthday. For more information or to RSVP, please call the office at 508-358-9623 or email info@congregationoratid.org.
2nd Annual A Nation of Immigrants Community Seder
Sunday, April 6, 2008 3:00 p.m.

In Campus Center Ballroom, UMass Boston
The seder will be officiated by Rabbi Elaine Zecher of Temple Israel in Boston and Cantor Elias Rosemberg of Temple Emanuel in Newton. Please join our diverse interfaith community as we celebrate all of our unique journeys to becoming part of this nation of immigrants. For more information or to RSVP, contact Shana at sfinkwlstein@adl.org.

Eighth Annual Labor Seder

Monday, April 7, 2008 5:30 p.m.
At S.E.I.U. Labor Hall, 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester. The Labor Seder is a unique interfaith opportunity through which labor and Jewish community leaders and activists continue to build bridges. Participants will learn about current worker struggles in Greater Boston, find ways of getting involved in meaningful campaigns for social justice, and rejoice in the ancient and joyful tradition of the seder. RSVP is requested by March 31. For more information or to RSVP, please email bostonlaborseder@gmail.com or call 617-482-9604.

Creative Community Model Seder for Teens and Adults with Disabilities and their Friends

Wednesday, April 9, 2008 6:30-9:00 p.m.
At Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Avenue, Needham. There will be music and singing, plus a full-course traditional dinner catered by Sweetberry Café. Rabbi Jay Perlman of Temple Beth Shalom will lead the service. The seder is being organized by the Special Needs Professional Committee of the Greater Boston Jewish Community. Cost is $8 per person. Registration and pre-payment is requested by April 2. For more information, please call 617-558-6548 or email jan@bbbbs.org.

Passover Community Seder in the Humanist Tradition

Saturday, April 12, 2008 5:30 p.m.
At the Sharon Unitarian Church, 4 No. Main Street, Sharon. Presented by Shir Tikvah, Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. Passover – celebrating freedom for all people! Please join us in celebrating Passover in our Humanist Tradition. The story of our journey – the story of the Victory of Life! $28 Adults, $14 children under 12. Babysitting is available throughout the evening. Reservations are requested by April 5. Please call or email Elaine at 781-341-1810 or elaine@ceremoniesoflife.com.

12th Annual South Shore Interfaith Seder

Sunday, April 13, 2008 3:00 p.m.
Seder held at Congregation Shaaray Shalom, 112 Main St., Hingham. For more information, comtact Myriam at mzuber@adl.org.

Interfaith Seder for Darfur

Sunday, April 13, 2008 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
At Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston. Please join us at this Interfaith Seder for Darfur. It is free and open to the public. Children and young people are welcome to help decorate the Tent of Hope. Please RSVP as soon as possible to assure a seat at the table. You may RSVP to Barbara and Daniel Palant at dpalant@rcn.com or Penny Joy Snider-Light at wppspeacerep@yahoo.com. May peace prevail in Darfur! May peace prevail on earth!

American Jewish Committee's 9th Annual Diplomats' Seder

Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:00 p.m.
At The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Boston. Diplomats of all faiths, representing countries from around the world, will share in the reading of the Haggadah and other elements of the seder that allow us to reflect on Judaism's deep-rooted commitment to freedom and justice. The guest speaker will be Ambassador John Shattuck, Chief Executive Officer of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and a lecturer at tufts University. Cost is $125 per person. For more information, please email Robin at hanleyr@ajc.org.

11th Annual Model Passover Seder for the Merrimack College Community

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 2:00-3:30 p.m.
In Cascia Hall, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike Street, North Andover. Presented by the Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations. Made possible by the generosity of Donna and Elliot Katzman and in part by a grant from the Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation. For more information, visit our web site at http://www.merrimack.edu/JCR. We hope to share with you the richness of our history as children of Abraham and Sarah, and invite you to participate in this festive event. If you wish to attend, kindly RSVP to the Center at 978-837-5000 ext. 5428, or email Aldebran.longabaughburg@merrimack.edu.

Interfaith Seder

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 6:00 p.m.
Congregation Keshet Yam of Manchester/Essex will hold an interfaith seder in preparation for Passover at the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Essex. There is no charge, but participants are asked to bring something for a pot luck supper. For more information, please contact Rabbi Judy Epstein at 978-526-7655 or rabbijudye@aol.com.

14th Annual Seder of Hope

Sunday, May 4, 2008 5:00 p.m.
At Temple Beth-El Meeting Hall, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, RI. A gathering for all people touched by AIDS, this seder is sponsored by the AIDS Task Force of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island. $18 per person includes complete dinner. Panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display courtesy of AIDS Quilt RI. Space is limited; reservation deadline is April 18. For reservation, mail your check payable to JFRI/AIDS Seder by April 18 to Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, 130 Sessions Street, Providence, RI 02906. Include your name, address, phone number, the number of reservations for the seder, and the names of all guests. Reservations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, paid in advance. For more information, please call 401-421-4111 ext. 148.