Few Jewish holidays evoke the same warm sentiments as Passover. Memories of family and friends gathered as the four cups of wine are poured, the four questions asked and the Matzah served, all contribute to Passover’s popularity in the Jewish community. Bringing the warmth and tradition of this festival to North Idaho’s Jewish community,Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho is organizing a community Passover Seder to be held on Friday night, March 30 at 6:30 p.m.

The Seder, which will be run by Rabbis Laibel Shemtov and Levi Gourarie, takes participants through the wondrous liberation of our ancestors from Egyptian bondage, while sharing the relevance and beauty of the age old festival in our modern lives. Included in the Seder will be a delectable dinner of traditional cuisine paired with a variety of fine imported wines and handmade round ‘Shmurah’ Matzah from Israel.

“Passover is not simply a celebration of the historic liberation of an ancient people,” said Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz, director of the Chabad Jewish Center in Boise, the movement’s regional headquarters. “Passover is about our own personal liberation – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Passover inspires us to break free from our own limitations and complacency, restraining us from reaching new heights. At Passover, we become free in our lives, relationships and connection with G-d. We are delighted to offer this – once again – to Jewish residents of North Idaho.”

All are welcome to join the community Seder, which will be held on Friday March 30th In Coeur D’Alene. Space is limited. Reservations can be made by contacting the visiting rabbis, at 770-503-5225 or rovingrabbis@jewishidaho.com.

“We are excited to be coming to North Idaho for Pesach!” says Rabbi Gourarie. “Celebrating Jewish traditions brings diversity and sanctity to the community. Teaching and learning from each other promises to be a rewarding experience, which we look forward to.”

The eight-day festival of Pesach (Passover in English) is celebrated this year from sundown on Friday night, March 30, until after nightfall on Saturday, April 7.

Passover commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and will be celebrated with a festive “Seder” dinner on March 30. Other holiday observances include restricting the consumption of leavened products such as bread and pasta, instead eating unleavened matzah. Additional information about the Passover holiday is available atwww.www.jewishidaho.com/Passover.

Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho, based in Boise, offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations throughout the state of Idaho. For more information, contact Chabad Jewish Center at 208-853-9200 or visit online at www.jewishidaho.com