Shagitz and shikse seek Passover Seder.

March 29, 2008 1:44 PM

Where can I, a gentile with no Jewish friends, participate in a Passover Seder in Los Angeles?

Are there restaurants that will do it? Are there Jewish cultural organizations that host large Seders open to the public (<$40/person)? Are you a Jew who would let my girl friend and I join your mishpacha for dinner?

posted by HotPatatta to food & drink (12 comments total)

If you are college student-y in age, check your local schools for their Hillel organization to see if any of them are hosting a Passover Seder you could attend. Or perhaps google around to see if there are any radical or lefty Jews with Seder plans.
posted by kuppajava at 2:15 PM on March 29

A big plus that will work in your favor is that a major tradition in Seders is to accept anyone who wants to join the festivities. Check and see if there is a JCC in your area, they will very likely be hosting a seder that will either be free or very low cost.
posted by Kifer85 at 2:59 PM on March 29

Try contacting the Chabad house in your area -- give them a call. I have a feeling that they'll invite you to their Seder if you're up front and honest with them about why you'd like to attend.
posted by buriedpaul at 3:04 PM on March 29

Here is some more info: Chabad Seders in the LA area

If you were Jewish, I would have more so say about Chabad, but if it's just a one time thing, you'll be fine.

Expect this to be more traditional and observant than other options.
posted by andoatnp at 3:43 PM on March 29

Call a couple of local synagogues. Most will have a list of people who offer to host Seders for people who have no one to celebrate with.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 4:12 PM on March 29

Jews for Jesus partners with Christian churches to put on a traditional Jewish seder for church members, but anyone can come. Obviously, they talk about Jesus too, but it's not an outreach event.
posted by clh at 5:25 PM on March 29

You might want to skip Chabad and other orthodox seders.
The Kosher rules for wine (note opened, handled, or poured) make in unlikely you would be very welcome--wine is an important and inevitable part of the seder service.

I don't make the rules. I just disregard them.
posted by hexatron at 5:50 PM on March 29

(Jews for Jesus are not Jews.)
posted by astruc at 6:32 PM on March 29 [1 favorite]

Check with the local Unitarians.
posted by pullayup at 7:04 PM on March 29

On the wine front: That's true, but the majority of kosher wine is now "mevushal," which essentially means boiled. That means the prohibition of not being contacted by idol worshippers doesn't really apply. I doubt this would honestly affect your participation, even in an Orthodox seder.

That said, I think your best bet is not with Chabad--who will be perfectly nice but show very little interest in you if you're not Jewish (though you will leave toasted and with an appreciation for a traditional seder). Try a Reform synagogue where much more will be in English--a lot of the Haggadah (book used for the seder) is in complex Hebrew and Aramaic.
posted by j1950 at 7:08 PM on March 29

Any Mefites want to host a seder for other Mefites?
posted by HotPatatta at 7:24 PM on March 29

I can't host (tiny apartment), but I'd be happy to do a potluck seder with other LA Mefites. Anyone interested?
posted by chicainthecity at 11:06 AM on April 11