Celebrating Passover with Chabad of Hewlett

During Passover every year, Jews celebrate the freeing of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim, of Chabad House of Hewlett, also views the holiday as a time to unite as one Jewish family.

“Truly, that is the philosophy of our Chabad,” Tenenboim said. “We are one big family.”

Passover began at sundown on April 5. During the eight-day holiday, a Seder, or ritual supper, brings Jews together to recount the events in ancient Egypt. The first two nights and the last two nights are considered the most important.

“Passover is the idea of passing down traditional,” Tenenboim said, “and we very much emphasize rituals, such as celebrating the passing to the next generation, and making Passover interactive and exciting.”

Tenenboim, whose Chabad celebrated 10 years last November, hosted his 11th annual Seder with his community, or, as he calls it, his family.

“Sometimes we get a very big crowd, with many different backgrounds,” Tenenboim said. “People that may not have known each other before come, and we’re trying to give a real feeling of a family Seder dinner by introducing everybody to each other with a variety of activities.”

Hewlett residents Arik and Michelle Yamen spent their first night of Passover with family, and joined the Chabad for the second night. They strive to keep the Passover story alive for their three children, the couple said.

“The idea is for the next generation to understand what happened,” Arik said, “and understanding that faith in God helps.”

A traditional Seder includes food, singing, storytelling, and drinking four cups of wine.

“No matter what religious level you are or background, Passover is always that one holiday that every family does,” Michelle Yamen said. “Whatever their level of tradition is.”

The cups of wine represent four expressions of deliverance promised by God, which are “I shall take you out,” “I shall rescue you,” “I shall redeem you” and “I shall bring you.”

Each year, Passover brings a special memory for Anatt Mann, of Lynbrook, who recalls the Passover she spent in Israel.

“One time after the Gulf War, my father says, ‘Pack your bags, we’re going to Israel for Passover,’” Mann said. “Two days later, we were on a plane to Israel, and that was the first time I had Passover in Israel. I’m glad I got to experience it.”

Mann doesn’t have children, but the importance of the holiday for her is the same as it is for parents. “It is to remember what our ancestors came from,” she said. “To remember what they went through, and how hard it was when they were leaving Egypt.”

This year marked the Yamen family’s second Chabad Seder. What’s important is the familial feeling that the Chabad of Hewlett, and Tenenboim, create.

“This is a family when you don’t have a family,” Arik said.