On March 27, about two dozen retirees gathered for the 5th annual JCC Brunch B’Yachad Passover seder. Brunch B’Yachad literally means” brunch together,” and having this seder brings together folks from New York, Maryland, Texas, North Carolina, Florida and many places in the Midwest. Some come from Orthodox Jewish backgrounds, some are avowed atheists, some are learning about Judaism for the first time, and others are “old hands” when it comes to Jewish practice.
The Passover haggadah was originally developed by a team of five brunch buddies and JCC Lifelong Jewish Engagement Director, Geri Garfinkel-Gerhson. Together they strive to embrace the group’s diversity in thinking and practice. Some blessings are in the traditional form “Baruch Atah Adonai” (Blessed are You Adonai) while others follow a gender inclusive pattern “Nevarech et ruach ha’olam” (Let us bless the spirit of the world).
As is the customary practice during a seder, they bless four cups of wine. Each of the four cups is dedicated to Jewish role models like Rabbi Elliot Kukla, the first openly transgender person ordained as a rabbi by the Reform Jewish seminary Hebrew Union College; Asheville’s own Leah Karpen, a philanthropist, volunteer, and activist; Stan Lee the American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer who rose through the ranks of a family-run business which would later become Marvel Comics. and Deborah Lipstadt, United States Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism.
The seder attracts brunch regulars, as well as others who are looking for a community seder. For some, it is the only seder they will attend, either from choice, timing or financial need. Since the brunch seder is in the morning and a potluck, there is no cost and no need to drive home in the dark. The meal follows the JCC’s meatless food policy and customary Passover practice, and includes vegan and gluten free options. Everyone lends a hand by setting up, cleaning up, cooking or organizing.
This year’s seder was a huge success. Afterwards, one member wrote: “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for all you did to make the JCC Passover brunch successful. As we read through the haggadah, I realized the amount of special effort given to fashioning the narrative (Reference to Haym Salomon, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, etc.), plus orchestrating the entire affair. Thanks!” Another offered this: “Thank you for the seder at brunch today. It was very heimish and happy. And the food was good, too!”
