A symbolic Seder for Holocaust survivors, sponsored by Jewish Family Services and the Mandell JCC as part of their Café Europa program, will be held in West Hartford.

More than 40 people came out to The Claypen to paint Seder plates. The event was organized by Jewish Family Services (JFS) in partnership with the Jewish Teen Learning Connection to be able to provide hand-painted Seder plates for JFS clients in need and will be presented at the Seder on April 19. Submitted photo

Submitted by Cathy Bergstrom, Jewish Family Services

Celebrating life, legacy and freedom is a wonderful reason to gather. On Tuesday, April 19, more than 120 people (Holocaust survivors, their families, and community leaders) will take part in a symbolic Seder at Mandell Jewish Community Center.

Passover, the Jewish festival of freedom, commemorates the exodus of the slaves from Egypt. It is the journey from darkness to light, fear to safety, from doubt to ultimate trust.

“JFS is so pleased to bring together all the organizations who work with survivors throughout the community,” explained Anne Danaher, JFS executive director. “It is a very meaningful way for all organizations to recognize survivors as we prepare to celebrate Passover. We have also been able to involve the youngest generations as JT Connect, Hebrew High School of New England, and Solomon Schechter and Hebrew Academy day schools are part of this program.”

Leading the Seder will be Rabbi Philip Lazowski and Professor Avinoam Patt. The celebration will be in the Senior Adult Lounge from noon to 2 p.m.

Holocaust survivors attending the event will be presented with Seder plates which were hand-painted by children and their parents. JFS partnered with JT Connect for a Seder plate painting day at The Claypen in preparation of Tuesday’s celebration.

“I am so happy to have the opportunity to participate in this incredibly meaningful program,” shared Avi Patt, event co-chair. “Passover is the holiday when we reflect both on the meaning of slavery and freedom, and the responsibility of each generation to make sure that memory from our collective past is continued into the future. The symbolic Seder for Holocaust survivors is an incredibly poignant way to reflect on the meaning of such obligations as we enter the Passover season.”

Gayle W. Temkin, event co-chair, offered, “My girls are so excited to celebrate life with my dad! Last week was his 71st anniversary of liberation from Buchenwald.”

Jewish Family Services helps people of all religions advance along the path toward emotional well-being, self-reliance, more positive relationships, and a renewed sense of possibility. For more information about our services and programs, visit www.jfshartford.org.