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 answers 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, 2008

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, 2008

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, 2008

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, 2008

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, 2008

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, 2008

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, 2008

(Jews for Jesus are not Jews.)
posted by astruc at 6:32 PM on March 29, 2008

Check with the local Unitarians.
posted by pullayup at 7:04 PM on March 29, 2008

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, 2008

Any Mefites want to host a seder for other Mefites?
posted by HotPatatta at 7:24 PM on March 29, 2008

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, 2008