Next Year in Jerusalem

Last Friday evening we attended a Seder at the Jewish Agency community center. We were accompanied by roughly 1,500 Felas Mora and a number of Israeli tourists. Another 1,500 Felas Mora were celebrating at the Jewish Agency's school. The community's rabbi from Israel came for the holiday as well. We arrived at 5:30 PM and left around 9:00 PM. As we shuffled in, we noticed that each family held a ticket. They gave the ticket to someone in the kitchen who handed each family a large bag with plastic plates, silverware, and cups as well as a few of the foods found traditionally on the Seder plate. After obtaining the bags, everyone sat down on rows of benches or chairs in the community center. It was packed so there was no room to recline, but everyone seemed to be comfortable enough.

The rabbi led Friday night services and then moved into the Seder. He set up his own table in the front. We were given Haggadot in Hebrew and Amharic. The front cover of the Haggadah had a picture of Ethiopians making matzah, and the back cover showed Ethiopians arriving in Israel. The rabbi would say a prayer in Hebrew word by word. The community would repeat each word after him, and then an older man in the community would translate the prayer into Amharic. Unfortunately, because it was Shabbat the rabbi did not use a microphone, and it turned out to be very difficult to hear him. Some of the Israeli volunteers and members of the community went up and down the aisles repeating the prayer and giving instructions in both Hebrew and Amharic.

Young men brought out pitchers of wine and large crates of food at the proper intervals. Many of them were my students! I cannot describe how happy they were to see me celebrating with them. There were potatoes for karpas, an odd mixture of dates and bananas for haroset, romaine lettuce for maror, and hard-boiled eggs for beitzah. We also ate matzah baked locally. Each piece looked like a small, round pita. I was really excited to try it, but when I bit into it, I nearly chipped a tooth! Luckily, the rabbi also brought some matzah from Israel. Rice and meat were served as well. When I left, there was a group of young men and women singing in Hebrew and dancing. It was a joyful celebration, and everyone went home well-fed and content.