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Passover Across America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Ilya
Welfeld NATIONAL JEWISH OUTREACH PROGRAM LAUNCHES “PASSOVER ACROSS AMERICA” PROGRAM
Innovative national initiative allows individuals and families to experience an authentic Passover Seder for the first time NEW YORK, NY; APRIL, 2005 – In an effort to make the Passover holiday more meaningful and inspiring, the National Jewish Outreach Program, is introducing a new initiative: “Passover Across America.” This innovative program-- which features joyous, welcoming, explanatory communal Seders--is launching this year at 20 pilot locations across the United States. “More Jews attend a Passover Seder than go to synagogue on the High Holidays or even light Chanukah candles,” says Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald, founder and director of NJOP. “Yet, many of these Seders are, unfortunately, little more than fancy dinners. Through the program, we hope to make Passover more meaningful and inspiring to American Jews.” Based on NJOP's highly successful “Shabbat Across America” program, which has introduced tens of thousands of Jews to the traditional Jewish Sabbath, “Passover Across America,” will enable individuals and families from all walks of life to participate in real, kosher Seders that are hands-on and explanatory. This festive program was created especially for Jews of limited religious background to help them develop a deeper understanding of, and an appreciation for, the Seder's customs and rituals. At each site, rabbis or specially trained laypeople will lead the Seder using materials provided by NJOP, including a new beginner's Haggadah, which includes concise commentary and provocative questions to inspire further thought, as well as proposed answers. The Haggadah is in English, with the exception of certain sections that are recited aloud and are presented in Hebrew with user-friendly translations and transliterations. “Our intention is that synagogue members at the pilot locations will invite their friends, colleagues, and neighbors who have never experienced an authentic Seder to join them in these communal events,” says Rabbi Buchwald. “In the early part of the Seder, we say, ‘Let all who are hungry come and eat.' With this invitation, we at NJOP hope that all Jews who hunger for spiritual enrichment will join us this year to taste the richness of Jewish traditions.” About the National Jewish Outreach ProgramFounded in 1987 by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald to address the critical issues of assimilation and a lack of Jewish knowledge, NJOP is now one of the largest and most successful Jewish outreach organizations in the world. To date, more than 850,000 people have benefited from NJOP's innovative, free programs which have been held in 3,630 locations—including synagogues, community centers, military bases, and college campuses—in all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces, and 30 countries around the world. ( www.njop.org ).
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