Passover in the Deep South

Those selling their chametz through Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El can be confident in its security during the holiday. On April 14, Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper will buy the chametz in a 9 a.m. ceremony.

Those selling the chametz are asked to contribute to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, with the contribution then being made to the Birmingham Police Athletic Teams, which offer sports programs to at-risk youth.

————

Beth Israel in Metairie is one of 20 congregations in the country to be selected for the National Jewish Outreach Program’s Passover Across America initiative. The congregation is reaching out to the entire Jewish community to offer a “traditional, kosher, yet accessible to all” second night Seder on April 15. The member-run evening is open to all, regardless of observance level. Services will begin at 7 p.m., with the Seder starting at 8 p.m. Reservations are requested by April 8. Cost is $26 for adult members, $36 for non-members. Children are $15 for members, $20 for non-members, and children under 4 are free. A significant portion of the Seder’s cost is being deferred by the NJOP grant.

————

Southern Passover Pilgrimage

Two rabbis from the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life will continue “a Southern Jewish Tradition” by embarking on a Passover Pilgrimage through the region.

Rabbis Marshal Klaven and Matthew Dreffin will conduct services, lead Seders, offer educational programs and facilitate dialogue. Each year, the events draw a diverse crowd and foster positive, shared community experiences.

This year, the week-long tour expands to seven states.

Klaven will start on April 11 and 12 at B’nai Israel in Natchez for Shabbat and pre-Passover programming. On April 13 he will do a pre-Passover community Seder at Meir Chayim in McGehee, Ark.

For the first Seder on April 14 he will be at B’nai Israel in Panama City, then second night on April 15 at B’nai Israel, Albany, Ga. On April 16, he will lead a “third night” Seder at Beth Shalom in Auburn.

On April 17 he will lead a community social and adult educational program at Mishkan Israel in Selma, then complete the tour at Temple Shalom in Lafayette for Shabbat on April 18 and 19.

Dreffin will start with a first-night Seder on April 14 at Anshe Chesed in Vicksburg, then will journey to the Upper Cumberland Jewish Community in Crossville, Tenn., for a third-night Seder on April 16.

On April 17 he will be at Rodeph Shalom in Rome, Ga., then spend Shabbat on April 18 and 19 at B’nai Israel in Fayetteville, Ga.

Dreffin’s journey concludes in Dahlonega with an event on April 19 at Shalom B’Harim, then on April 20 at the Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church.

————

Seder in the South:

Auburn’s Beth Shalom and Auburn Hillel will have a Seder with Rabbi Marshal Klaven on April 16 ay 6 p.m. Reservations are due by April 11, cost is $18 for adults, $8 for children.

Knesseth Israel in Birmingham will have a second night Seder on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. Reservations for adults are $36, $18 for those under 21. There is a limit of 40 seats.

Chabad of Alabama will have a Seder on April 14. Services will be at 7 p.m., followed by the Seder at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $36 for adults, $18 for children under 12.

Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El will have a first night Seder with Rabbi Laila Haas, April 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. Traditional foods will be served and participants are asked to bring a bottle of wine or grape juice. Child care is provided for a portion of the Seder for ages 15 months to 5 years. Seder reservations are $25, $10 for children 12 and under, and are due by April 7.

The annual Emanu-El Sisterhood Women’s Seder is April 6 at 5 p.m. There will also be a Candy Seder on April 13 at 10 a.m. for Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Dothan’s Temple Emanu-El will have its Seder on April 14 at 6 p.m. Reservations are $28 for adults, $14 for children, and are due on April 7.

Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville will have its community Seder at Cooper House, behind the Temple, on April 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. Seder will be observed with music and meditation, and the Haggadah on the big screen. Reservations are $30 before April 7 and $35 after. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. No reservations are available after noon on April 14.

Ahavas Chesed in Mobile will have its Seder on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $40 for members and $45 for non-members, children under 13 are free. Reservations are due on April 7.

Springhill Avenue Temple in Mobile will have its Seder on April 14 at 6 p.m. Reservations are $35 for members, $40 for non-members, and $20 for those under age 13. Reservations are due by April 9.

Temple Beth Or in Montgomery will hold its Seder on April 15 at 6 p.m., using the Reform movement’s “Open Door” Haggadah. Reservations are $25 for adults, $10 ages 6 to 12, free for 5 and under. Reservations are due on April 8.

Temple Emanu-El in Tuscaloosa will have a first night Seder on April 14 at 5 p.m. Reservations are $25 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and under, and are due on April 9. A vegetarian option will be available.

——

Beth Shalom in Fort Walton Beach will have its Seder on April 15 at 6 p.m., at the Eglin Air Force Base Bayview Club. Cost is $39.50 for member adults, $14 ages 3 to 10 with a family maximum of $95, $60 for single-parent households. Non-member reservations are $52.50 for adults, $18.50 for ages 3 to 10. Confidential financial arrangements can be made for those who need. With reservations, which are due by April 8, information is needed for base security. All those attending who do not have a military ID must provide their names and dates of birth, and those age 16 and over need to provide the number for a photo ID, such as a driver’s license or school ID. The photo ID is required when passing through the gate.

B’nai Israel in Panama City will have its Seder on April 14. Reservations are due by April 5.

Temple Beth-El in Pensacola will have its Seder on April 14 at 6 p.m. Babysitting is available. Reservations are $25 for member adults, $30 for non-members if space is available. Military and college students, and children ages 5 to 12 are $16.50. Children 4 and under are free. Reservations are due on April 4.

——

Mississippi State Hillel and Temple B’nai Israel in Columbus will have their Seder on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are requested by April 4. Cost is $36 per person, $12 for full-time students and children under 10. The students will meet at the Shell near the U.S. 82 on-ramp at 5:45 p.m. to caravan.

B’nai Israel in Hattiesburg will have a community Seder on April 14 at 6 p.m.

Jackson’s Beth Israel will have a second night Seder on April 15 at 6 p.m. Reservations are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Children ages 5 to 10 are $7, under 5 are free. Reservations are requested by April 11. There is a vegetarian option.

The Oxford Jewish community, which generally draws over 50 for their Seder, will have this year’s observance at the Unitarian Universalist Church on April 14.

——

Beth Shalom in Baton Rouge will have its Seder on April 15 at 7 p.m. Reservations are $20 for members, $15 for students 13 and over and Hillel students, and children 6 to 12 are $7. Children 5 and under are free. The maximum charge for parents with two or more children is $55. Reservations are due on April 8.

B’nai Israel in Baton Rouge will have its Seder on April 15 at 5:30 p.m. Members and guests are $35, non-members are $45, children under 16 are $15. Reservations are due by April 7.

Temple Shalom in Lafayette will have its Seder on April 15 at 6 p.m., at Oakbourne Country Club. Cost is $38 for adult members and $20 for ages 12 and under, $45 for non-member adults and $26 for children. Reservations are due by April 7.

Temple Sinai in Lake Charles will have its congregational Seder on April 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Northshore Jewish Congregation in Mandeville will have its Seder on April 15. Reservations are $18 for adults, $9 for children.

Northshore will also have an interfaith gathering to prepare for an interfaith Seder. The April 10 event at 7 p.m. will include parishoners from Our Lady of the Lake and from Mary Queen of Peace. They will be preparing the charoset for our Interfaith Seder as well as the roasted eggs for the Seder plates. Rabbi Nimon will talk with the group in the sanctuary, while pointing out the features of the room typical of all Jewish sanctuaries. The Interfaith Seder will be on April 13 at 4 p.m., at Mary Queen of Peace. Reservations are due by April 7.

Rabbi Barbara Metzinger will visit Monroe’s Temple B’nai Israel for the Seder on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 13 and under, and are due on April 9.

Shir Chadash in Metairie will have its All-Star Musical Second Seder on April 15 at 6:30 p.m. The New Orleans all-star band will feature Ben Schenk of the Panorama Jazz Band on clarinet, Marc Stone on guitar, Rene Coman of the Iguanas on bass, Joe Krown on piano, with vocals by Meryl Zimmerman. The Seder is sold out.

Anshe Sfard in New Orleans will have a Passover service on April 14 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Seder at 7:45 p.m. Reservations are free for those under the age of 36. For others, cost is $12 for members, $25 for non-members, with need-based accommodations available.
Chabad Jewish Center, Metairie, will have a home-style Seder on April 14 at 7:15 p.m. Reservations before April 3 are $33 for adults, $22 for children ages 4 to 15. Starting April 4, cost is $10 additional per person. For those who need, confidential financial arrangements can be made, so all can attend. Home hospitality is available for second night.

Gates of Prayer in Metairie will hold its Second Night Seder on April 15 at 6 p.m., catered in part by Fox Trot Catering. Reservations are $25 for adults, $10 ages 4 to 12, and under 4 are free. Adult reservations are $30 after the April 4 deadline.

Temple Sinai in New Orleans will have its congregational Seder on April 15 at 6 p.m. Reservations are $30 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and under. Non-members are $35 for adults, $12 for children, and college students are $5. Reservations are due by April 8.

Touro Synagogue in New Orleans will have its second night Seder, “an evening of story, song and celebration” with Rabbi Alexis Berk and Cantor Jamie Marx, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $30 for member adults and college students, $13 for children 12 and under. Non-members are $40, and reservations are due by April 8. Reserve here.

Tulane Hillel will have Seder at 7:15 p.m. on April 14 and April 15, catered by Hillel’s Kitchen. Reservations are available here.

B’nai Zion in Shreveport will have its Seder on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Early bird reservations by April 7 are $40 for members, $50 for non-members, $18 for students age 13 and above, $15 for ages 5 to 12, $18 for non-member students ages 5 and above. Those under 5 are free. Rates are higher until the April 9 deadline, contact B’nai Zion for details.