Families celebrate Passover at Temple Emanu-El feast

Rabbi Michael Shefrin said the core of what Passover is about is for kids to ask questions, engage and find meaning in the story in the modern world. 

That was why a special Passover Seder meal for young families on April 27 at Temple Emanu-El featured costumes, songs and games amid the holiday traditions.

“The kids learning and experiencing, and singing and dancing and having fun and playing creates memories that we hope that they will share with their kids as well, as that is the instruction of Passover, that everyone in every generation should hear themselves in the story,” Shefrin said. 

Held on Saturday to allow children and their families to attend together in the absence of an upcoming school day, the event was a success, Shefrin said, with multiple generations represented at multiple tables, attendees making new friends and family members even attending from out of town.

The evening also saw some somber reflection with the acknowledgment of current world events. Shefrin said it was important for the event to include a chair dedicated to Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli American held captive in Gaza since Oct. 7, who has a close relationship to Sarasota’s community. 

“The Haggadah itself instructs us that as we're reciting, in particular, the 10 plagues, that we pour out a little bit of wine, that we remove some of the possibility of joy in life to honor and acknowledge the pain and suffering that exists,” Shefrin said. 

“It's very meaningful, very meaningful this year for us in particular, and I'm just grateful to be part of such a thriving community here,” said member Alyson Roy.