Chabad Center announces that it will hold a Passover seder open to the general community on the first night of the holiday, Wednesday, April 1. Festivities will begin with services at 7:10 pm, followed by the seder; services and the seder will be held at the Chabad Center, 420 Murray Hill Rd., Vestal. Reservations for attending the seder will be taken until Monday, March 30. For more information and reservations, e-mail aslonim@Jewishbu.com or call the Chabad office at 607-797-0015.

The seder will include all of the traditional observances, a full course dinner, handmade shmurah matzah and mystical insights. The haggadah will be read with participation from all present in both Hebrew and English, and the many customs and traditions of the seder will be explained.

“Our seder is open to anyone who wants to attend a traditional seder; no previous knowledge or level of observance is required,” explained Rabbi Aaron Slonim, executive director of Chabad. “Be prepared to be welcomed – just as you are – as part of the family.”

There is no charge for the seders, but donations to help defray the cost would be appreciated and can be sent to Chabad before or after the holiday.

“We will be serving a full course, traditional holiday dinner, but I do urge participants to have a bite to eat earlier in the evening to tide them over the ceremonial, opening portion of the seder which precedes dinner,” added Rivky Slonim.

Seder in a Box

For those who are unable to attend and would like to celebrate the holiday with all of the traditions, Chabad will make available a Seder in a Box. Interested parties are asked to email aslonim@Jewishbu.com or call the Chabad office at 607-797-0015 to reserve their box (or a box for a friend or loved one) as soon as possible. The Seder in a Box will contain matzah, grape juice, a complete holiday dinner (for one or two) and all of the ceremonial items necessary for a seder; a haggadah will be included, as well.

The subsidized cost of the Seder in a Box is $54 which includes one dinner, and $25 for each additional meal. Reservations for a Seder in a Box will be taken until Monday, March 30.

Community members who wish to assist in this effort can help with delivery, can underwrite a box or two, and/or can help with the cooking of the food and packaging of the boxes. To offer assistance, call the Slonims at 607-797-0015. Checks earmarked for this purpose may be sent to Chabad Center, 420 Murray Hill Rd., Vestal, NY 13850.

For more information and reservations, e-mail aslonim@Jewishbu.com or call the Chabad office at 607-797-0015.

Shmurah matzah

Handmade shmurah matzah will be available for purchase through the Chabad Center for $20 a pound (three matzahs can be purchased for $12) as long as the supply lasts. Interested parties are urged to place their orders as soon as possible by calling the Chabad office at 607-797-0015.