ISJL hosting virtual Seder

For the second year, staffers at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life will not be able to fan out across the region from Jackson, doing the annual Passover Pilgrimage to numerous smaller communities.

Instead, ISJL will be hosting an inclusive, musical Streaming Seder over Facebook Live. The free event is open to all, whether live or viewed later on the Institute’s Facebook page, TheISJL.

For over a decade, the Institute’s rabbis and educators have traveled a 12-state region to lead Passover experiences. Last year, with the sudden national shutdown due to Covid, the tour was cancelled at the last moment and the Institute had to pivot to an online experience.

This year, though vaccines and safe returns to a “new normal” are on the horizon, the safest way to celebrate is still from a distance.

For those who wish to participate in the livestream and be able to add comments and socialize online with other seder attendees, the seder will take place on March 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Central time and lasting for approximately one hour. There will then be a “dinner break,” and after the festive meals enjoyed in each home, attendees will be welcome to return to Facebook for a brief conclusion of the seder, followed by a sing-along.

The seder will be led by Rabbi Caroline Sim, ISJL Director of Rabbinical Services, with assistance from ISJL Education Fellow Gabby Tropp. The closing song session will be led by ISJL Education Fellow Margo Wagner. Resources, including a free Haggadah, will be available after March 15 here.

No pre-registration is required; simply “like” the ISJL Facebook page, subscribe to updates for the page and there will be alert in notifications when the seder is about to begin.