Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Five people from four generations in three households on two continents: this one seder works pretty well. There are a few glitches, both technological and liturgical, the result of new technology and mismatched texts. Still, most of us get through it. The toddler needs to go to bed halfway through and her father falls asleep with her. The rest of us reach the end just before the leader’s phone battery runs out. We don’t have the usual massive meal. We aren’t a big gathering in a single place. I have some salmon, broccoli and a sweet potato. Others have chicken with eggplant. On the American side, It’s just after lunchtime, though there is grape juice there for the blessings over wine. There is only one seder here each year, not two. The smaller meal means quicker cleanup. Tonight, we put away the ritual items when we’re done. Next year, we hope, more of us will be together, if not yet in Jerusalem.