PSA: Please do not host a Christian seder

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We aren't Christian (raised Catholic, both now agnostic) but our kid goes to a Jewish preschool and they've been talking about Passover all week. So we're going to do a little Passover seder at home tomorrow so we can all learn a little more about it.

It's not a "Christian Seder" and we aren't inserting Jesus into it at all. More just a way to learn about the tradition and for our kid to apply some of what she learned at school in a respectful way. She knows we are not Jewish, but that her school is Jewish and that some of the people there (including her teachers and the rabbi who comes to visit on Fridays for a small shabbat celebration they do) are.

Anyway, not asking for permission, just noting that there are reasons non-Jewish people might celebrate passover in a way that isn't automatically disrespectful. But yes, I can see how trying to claim the seder as a Christian tradition is disrespectful.

Why not see if you can go to one of her classmate’s homes? I understand COVID makes that difficult, but after the pandemic ends that would be a better way of learning about it, than trying to do something you’re not familiar with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We aren't Christian (raised Catholic, both now agnostic) but our kid goes to a Jewish preschool and they've been talking about Passover all week. So we're going to do a little Passover seder at home tomorrow so we can all learn a little more about it.

It's not a "Christian Seder" and we aren't inserting Jesus into it at all. More just a way to learn about the tradition and for our kid to apply some of what she learned at school in a respectful way. She knows we are not Jewish, but that her school is Jewish and that some of the people there (including her teachers and the rabbi who comes to visit on Fridays for a small shabbat celebration they do) are.

Anyway, not asking for permission, just noting that there are reasons non-Jewish people might celebrate passover in a way that isn't automatically disrespectful. But yes, I can see how trying to claim the seder as a Christian tradition is disrespectful.

It’s not like reinforcing a math or reading lesson.

It’s sacred.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh who cares!! As a Jew, I’m delighted for anyone to host whatever they want. Just let me know what I can bring. We all need more warm events with family/friends.

I am with you pp! More celebrations and inclusiveness.

Op. Just mind your own business and spend less time scolding what others do. And I say this as someone who does not hold a seder.

It’s not inclusiveness to claim that the Passover seder (which is a Jewish religious ceremony) is actually a Christian religious tradition. I’m surprised so many people have a hard time understanding this. Given the history of oppression of Jewish people by Christians, it’s clear why many Jews would be pretty sensitive about this. Inclusiveness would be a Christian making efforts at actual interfaith connections and being invited to attend a Jewish seder as a guest. Not claiming “Jesus was a Jew so Judaism is basically a lesser version of Christianity!” Plus - the Passover seder is theologically incompatible with Christianity. It’s about God’s protection of the Jewish people who await the Medsiah - whereas Christianity believes Jesus is the Messiah, the Paschal sacridicial amb. You already HAVE a holiday celebrating Jesus’s celebration of Passover and his role as the Paschal sacrificd ... it’s called EASTER.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are an interfaith family and I am currently cooking brisket for our Seder tomorrow, so I really think it’s hard to say that I’m an anti-Semite. And, I do not understand why Jews are upset that Christians are having seders (which I think is pretty rare.) They do share a belief in the Old Testament and each religion is free to interpret that text as they see fit. One doesn’t undermine the other. They are just different traditions.

Also, Jews don’t really have a leg to stand on when it comes to horning in on holiday celebration. US Jews elevated the minor holiday of Hanukkah to a major celebration so they could have something festive in December so they didn’t feel left out. I get it. My DH said it sucked to be a Jewish kid around Christmas because you feel left out and Hanukkah gave the Jewish kids something to look forward to. People adopt and transform traditions all the time to fit their needs. Jews do this too.

Well, your husband's parents failed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh who cares!! As a Jew, I’m delighted for anyone to host whatever they want. Just let me know what I can bring. We all need more warm events with family/friends.

I am with you pp! More celebrations and inclusiveness.

Op. Just mind your own business and spend less time scolding what others do. And I say this as someone who does not hold a seder.

It’s not inclusiveness to claim that the Passover seder (which is a Jewish religious ceremony) is actually a Christian religious tradition. I’m surprised so many people have a hard time understanding this. Given the history of oppression of Jewish people by Christians, it’s clear why many Jews would be pretty sensitive about this. Inclusiveness would be a Christian making efforts at actual interfaith connections and being invited to attend a Jewish seder as a guest. Not claiming “Jesus was a Jew so Judaism is basically a lesser version of Christianity!” Plus - the Passover seder is theologically incompatible with Christianity. It’s about God’s protection of the Jewish people who await the Medsiah - whereas Christianity believes Jesus is the Messiah, the Paschal sacridicial amb. You already HAVE a holiday celebrating Jesus’s celebration of Passover and his role as the Paschal sacrificd ... it’s called EASTER.

Yes! This articulates it perfectly.

It’s really not a good look to tell a minority asking for their traditions to be respected to basically STFU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh who cares!! As a Jew, I’m delighted for anyone to host whatever they want. Just let me know what I can bring. We all need more warm events with family/friends.

I am with you pp! More celebrations and inclusiveness.

Op. Just mind your own business and spend less time scolding what others do. And I say this as someone who does not hold a seder.

It’s not inclusiveness to claim that the Passover seder (which is a Jewish religious ceremony) is actually a Christian religious tradition. I’m surprised so many people have a hard time understanding this. Given the history of oppression of Jewish people by Christians, it’s clear why many Jews would be pretty sensitive about this. Inclusiveness would be a Christian making efforts at actual interfaith connections and being invited to attend a Jewish seder as a guest. Not claiming “Jesus was a Jew so Judaism is basically a lesser version of Christianity!” Plus - the Passover seder is theologically incompatible with Christianity. It’s about God’s protection of the Jewish people who await the Medsiah - whereas Christianity believes Jesus is the Messiah, the Paschal sacridicial amb. You already HAVE a holiday celebrating Jesus’s celebration of Passover and his role as the Paschal sacrificd ... it’s called EASTER.

Yes! This articulates it perfectly.

It’s really not a good look to tell a minority asking for their traditions to be respected to basically STFU.

I'm guessing the two of you have never heard of Jews for Jesus. I mean, people can believe and practice whatever they want - we don't really get a say. (I'm a regular reform Jew, not a Jew for Jesus, but I think we have other, more pressing things to worry about, like the Qanon psychos and their vile antisemitic rhetoric).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh who cares!! As a Jew, I’m delighted for anyone to host whatever they want. Just let me know what I can bring. We all need more warm events with family/friends.

I am with you pp! More celebrations and inclusiveness.

Op. Just mind your own business and spend less time scolding what others do. And I say this as someone who does not hold a seder.

It’s not inclusiveness to claim that the Passover seder (which is a Jewish religious ceremony) is actually a Christian religious tradition. I’m surprised so many people have a hard time understanding this. Given the history of oppression of Jewish people by Christians, it’s clear why many Jews would be pretty sensitive about this. Inclusiveness would be a Christian making efforts at actual interfaith connections and being invited to attend a Jewish seder as a guest. Not claiming “Jesus was a Jew so Judaism is basically a lesser version of Christianity!” Plus - the Passover seder is theologically incompatible with Christianity. It’s about God’s protection of the Jewish people who await the Medsiah - whereas Christianity believes Jesus is the Messiah, the Paschal sacridicial amb. You already HAVE a holiday celebrating Jesus’s celebration of Passover and his role as the Paschal sacrificd ... it’s called EASTER.

Yes! This articulates it perfectly.

It’s really not a good look to tell a minority asking for their traditions to be respected to basically STFU.

I'm guessing the two of you have never heard of Jews for Jesus. I mean, people can believe and practice whatever they want - we don't really get a say. (I'm a regular reform Jew, not a Jew for Jesus, but I think we have other, more pressing things to worry about, like the Qanon psychos and their vile antisemitic rhetoric).

Jews for Jesus is a group meant to convert Jews.

Don’t be fooled.

Yes we have bigger things to worry about, but that doesn’t mean I’m not ticked off by Christian Seders and Messianic Jews/Jews for Jesus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that if Christians are going to try to co-opt our Passover Seders, they should at least be forced to eat gefilte fish.

Seems only fair!

And eat matzah/Kosher for Passover for the entire week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that if Christians are going to try to co-opt our Passover Seders, they should at least be forced to eat gefilte fish.

Seems only fair!

And eat matzah/Kosher for Passover for the entire week.

And don’t forget ALL the glasses of Manischewitz! They better not skimp!

Goys, that’s 4 glasses of wine per adult during Seder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my church, we have a Passover gathering. It is not a Seder.

There is a reading from the book of Exodus, followed by a brief prayer, followed by a simple meal of soup and bread that is available to the entire community, including those in need of a meal.

That's it. It's not a Seder. It is a recognition of Passover and of God's mercy and protection.

That is part of my religious observance as a Christian. I will observe my religious traditions as I see fit.

ok, call it an Exodus meal.

I don't have to call it anything to please you. Neither does my pastor or my church community. We are having Passover Supper. Literally all are welcome. It's gonna be what it's gonna be, and if you don't like it, you don't have to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my church, we have a Passover gathering. It is not a Seder.

There is a reading from the book of Exodus, followed by a brief prayer, followed by a simple meal of soup and bread that is available to the entire community, including those in need of a meal.

That's it. It's not a Seder. It is a recognition of Passover and of God's mercy and protection.

That is part of my religious observance as a Christian. I will observe my religious traditions as I see fit.

That’s not what anyone is criticizing.

You clearly didn't read the other thread. Which is fine, but then you don't get to say that this exact scenario wasn't criticized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my church, we have a Passover gathering. It is not a Seder.

There is a reading from the book of Exodus, followed by a brief prayer, followed by a simple meal of soup and bread that is available to the entire community, including those in need of a meal.

That's it. It's not a Seder. It is a recognition of Passover and of God's mercy and protection.

That is part of my religious observance as a Christian. I will observe my religious traditions as I see fit.

ok, call it an Exodus meal.

I don't have to call it anything to please you. Neither does my pastor or my church community. We are having Passover Supper. Literally all are welcome. It's gonna be what it's gonna be, and if you don't like it, you don't have to attend.

Nice to see you being so respectful of other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that if Christians are going to try to co-opt our Passover Seders, they should at least be forced to eat gefilte fish.

Seems only fair!

And eat matzah/Kosher for Passover for the entire week.

And don’t forget ALL the glasses of Manischewitz! They better not skimp!

Goys, that’s 4 glasses of wine per adult during Seder.

My Christian dad likes Manischewitz. He calls it his grape juice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We aren't Christian (raised Catholic, both now agnostic) but our kid goes to a Jewish preschool and they've been talking about Passover all week. So we're going to do a little Passover seder at home tomorrow so we can all learn a little more about it.

It's not a "Christian Seder" and we aren't inserting Jesus into it at all. More just a way to learn about the tradition and for our kid to apply some of what she learned at school in a respectful way. She knows we are not Jewish, but that her school is Jewish and that some of the people there (including her teachers and the rabbi who comes to visit on Fridays for a small shabbat celebration they do) are.

Anyway, not asking for permission, just noting that there are reasons non-Jewish people might celebrate passover in a way that isn't automatically disrespectful. But yes, I can see how trying to claim the seder as a Christian tradition is disrespectful.

Why not see if you can go to one of her classmate’s homes? I understand COVID makes that difficult, but after the pandemic ends that would be a better way of learning about it, than trying to do something you’re not familiar with.

Even without a pandemic, it takes chutzpah to ask if your Christian family can attend someone’s Seder. Lots of people wouldn’t mind, but some would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We aren't Christian (raised Catholic, both now agnostic) but our kid goes to a Jewish preschool and they've been talking about Passover all week. So we're going to do a little Passover seder at home tomorrow so we can all learn a little more about it.

It's not a "Christian Seder" and we aren't inserting Jesus into it at all. More just a way to learn about the tradition and for our kid to apply some of what she learned at school in a respectful way. She knows we are not Jewish, but that her school is Jewish and that some of the people there (including her teachers and the rabbi who comes to visit on Fridays for a small shabbat celebration they do) are.

Anyway, not asking for permission, just noting that there are reasons non-Jewish people might celebrate passover in a way that isn't automatically disrespectful. But yes, I can see how trying to claim the seder as a Christian tradition is disrespectful.

Why not see if you can go to one of her classmate’s homes? I understand COVID makes that difficult, but after the pandemic ends that would be a better way of learning about it, than trying to do something you’re not familiar with.

Even without a pandemic, it takes chutzpah to ask if your Christian family can attend someone’s Seder. Lots of people wouldn’t mind, but some would.

PP here. I’m Jewish and wouldn’t mind at all. I do understand that some might.

My point was simply that attending someone else’s Seder is better than trying to learn by doing something you’re not at all familiar with.