A local Rabbi is hosting what he calls the synagogue-based Passover seder in the Coachella Valley

Passover is a significant time for many Jewish families. It is a time to come together with family and recount the story of the exodus from Egypt while eating a special meal called the seder.

Rabbi Steven Rosenberg from Temple Isaiah, the Jewish Community Center in Palm Springs is hosting the largest synagogue-based Passover seder in the Coachella Valley. He aims to retell the story of the exodus from Egypt and celebrate what he calls the "miracles of modern-day Israel." The congregation will sing songs, recite scriptures, and enjoy the festivities with like-minded people. Rosenberg explains the traditional dishes, "We talk about the bitterness of slavery, we eat bitter herbs, we are horse radish, we talk about this idea of hope we eat a green vegetable."

  Jewish families commemorate the escape of the israelites from slavery in egypt with the festival of passover.  The feast they take part in is called the Seder. "It's interesting enough, the high priests the ancient temple only were allowed to eat matzah, which was flat because it's a very poor and humble bread," says Rosenberg. "I'd like to also point out, the first thing we say, at a Passover Seder, before we even start, is we take a piece of matzah, we say this is the bread of poverty. And then we say that all who are hungry, come and eat. There's a tradition at our Seder. We welcome everyone. And we welcome anyone who wants to come and partake the Seder with us."

For many jews, passover is a time to reunite with family and recount the exodus from egypt. "Jews sometimes have a hard time saying jewish pride," say Rosenberg. "So our seder is going to be loud and proud."

Rabbi Rosenberg says in other jewish communities they don't advertise their celebrations because of the amount of hate they have seen over the years but at the community center. "Part of being jewish is celebrating and embracing life and understanding that this is such a beautiful gift," says Rosenberg. "This is our story."

They took precautions and had multiple securtiy teams on site while the event was taking place.

The celebration continued. The congregation sang songs in hebrew during the first night of passover. Rosenberg says the celebration last for  seven to eight days.

A member of the temple share what passover means to him. "We always keep thinking about it in our lives, you know, being better person helping the community moving forward, and never forgetting you know, where you come from," says Daniel Azouri.

Seder means order. There are few traditions some Jewish families follow:

1. Bless the wine ( Kadesh)
2. Washing your hands ( Urechatz)
3. Dipping Vegetables in Salt Water ( Karpas)
4. Break the middle of Matzah (Yachatz)
   

If you would like to join the celebration, see the info below.

Rabbi Steven Rosenberg
Senior Rabbi
Temple Isaiah, the Jewish 
Community Center 
of Palm Springs 
332 W Alejo Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Office: 760.325.2281
rabbisteven.rosenberg@gmail.com
www.templeisaiahps.com

The event starts at 6 p.m. Even after the event is over, the Rabbi wanted to extend the entire Coachella Valley to use the community center as a resource.