Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Most Jews know about the Four Questions that are central to the celebration of Passover. But many of us have much more than four questions when it comes to understanding the Passover story and all of its traditions.

What do I serve for dinner? How do I make a seder plate? Which haggadot should I use? How do I make matzah balls?

If you have absolutely any questions regarding Passover, the Congregation of Reform Judaism has the answers!

CRJ will be hosting its first “A to Z Passover Festival” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17. The family-friendly event, which is free and open to the Central Florida community, will take place in CRJ’s social hall and will include a Q&A table with Rabbi Steven Engel, Passover food and wine samples, and activities for children, including storytelling and crafts.

“Passover is the holiday that more Jews participate in than any other Jewish holiday, whether or not they do it in the traditional fashion—not missing a word—or they have made their own customs,” event chairwoman Norma Ball said. “This event is an opportunity for you to observe, participate and enrich your Passover holiday.”

This year Passover begins on the evening of March 25 and runs through April 2.

The A to Z festival is based on an award-winning event that was held at Congregation Beth Yam in Hilton Head, S.C. The idea of that event, as well as the one at CRJ, was primarily to attract interfaith families, as well as affiliated and unaffiliated families with young children. The festival is also aimed at Jews who grew up in non-observant families and could benefit from a crash course in Passover 101.

“Every aspect of Passover will be addressed and will be addressed in different ways,” Ball said.

For adults, offerings at the festival will include food and Kosher wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, a seder plate exhibit, a variety of Haggadot, and Passover books and Judaica for sale. There will also be a horseradish-eating contest.

For kids of all ages, the festival will feature story telling, a chocolate seder, matzah making and a variety of crafts.

“This is an opportunity to learn how to tailor your Seder to the needs of your family, the ages of your kids and their attention spans,” Ball said.

To be eligible for a raffle to win a beautiful glass seder plate, register for the event at bit.ly/passoverfest. Call CRJ at 407-645-0444 for more information.