I have a long standing joke with the WiseGuy in my office, ever since he found out I did not invite him to my birthday party (which he certainly didn't want to go to anyway). So now whenever we talk about some party we're having we'll say to each other, "I think my invitation got lost in the mail" or "Hey, don't forget to give me directions to your place. Mapquest is fine." Usually he tells me, "Forget it, you're not invited."
This morning the WiseGuy and my Boss were standing around my desk talking about the big Passover kickoff. I think it's a Seder. The WiseGuy said he was having 12 people over his house. "Great," I said. "What time should I show up?"
And, like we couldn't all see where this was going, he said, "You want to come? You can come! You should come!" Instinctively, I started scooting my desk chair back. I looked at my Boss. But they explained to me that Passover is an open holiday and you can invite non-Jewish people and that it won't be a big deal if I were there.
"Really?" I said.
"Really," the said.
"You guys don't sacrafice a Christian or anything, do you? You're not trying to recruit some dupe for the special Passover bonfire?"
"No."
"Okay, I'll think about it." I said. I thought about it. "Can I write about it?"
"Sure."
"Okay, I'll go. It will be interesting. I really want to learn." Also it will really annoy my father, I thought to myself.
So tomorrow night, I'm going to Passover Seder with some family I've never met in New Jersey. I'm going to get the whole cultural experience, the crowded PATH trains, etc... So now I need a little help from the Cupcake Mafia. I suppose I could just Google all this but maybe you could answer a few questions for me: What should I wear? Do I need to cover my head? Is this a happy holiday or a solemn holiday? Should I bring a dozen cupcakes? Please coach me so I don't show up and turn into the Shiksa that Stole Passover.
12 comments:
don't bring cupcakes! unless they are somehow magically flour free. and probably dairy free too, since passover dinner is usually pretty meat-centric.
Other than that, (usually) everyone has a passover book on their chair(hagadah), and most have little stage directions
And people drink a lot of wine, so be prepared. At Josh K.'s request for his shiksa girlfriend, I'll be explaining the holiday later today. So that should help a bit.
Stage Directions??!!?? I feel weak.
You just know I am going to screw something up. No flour, eh? Um, what is a good little something for me to bring then?
JoshedPotoatoes, I eagerly anticipate your post. I smell a book proposal. "High Holy Days for Dummies."
There are Kosher for Passover cakes ( I know, right?). Whole Foods usually sells them, you can try that.
The post is up by the way. Good luck!
Take it from me cupcake, Passover is not a desert-friendly holiday. Let the experts (meaning us Jews) hunt down the tolerable flour-free deserts in the city. Do yourself a favor and bring a bottle of wine.
By the way, if done right, Passover is the best holiday ever. My seder tomorrow features Aunt Audrey and her amazingly low tolerance for wine. Historically by the third glass of wine (there are four ritually served) she starts singing her favorite Passover songs while my dad tries to lead the seder, of course at the wrong time. It's not Passover without Stu yelling, "not now Audrey!" This is an acceptable tradition because Passover is a joyous, exhuberant holiday and everyone should be drunk or mildly tipsy.
Let me know how it goes. BTW -don't cover your head and don't wear jeans.
-ML
Could I bring flowers for the hostess? Or do flowers symbolize death or something. The host is a big wine conniseur so I wouldn't presume to know what to bring. I can't believe I am going to go get all drunk and passed over in Jersey.
Passover is unfortunately a holiday without cupcakes, however, macaroons are always an acceptable dessert. It's a happy holiday; plan on eating lots and having to sit for a long time in between acts. At the end, you can win a prize by hunting down a hidden piece of matzoh. Most of all, have fun!
"I can't believe I am going to go get all drunk and passed over in Jersey."
That's really funny. Too bad I woke up one my kids by snorting at it.
Crumbs Bakeshop has Passover cupcakes. So if you really wanted to bring some, you can get them there. They look beautiful too.
Cupcake, congratulations on attending your first seder!
I have attended several as honorary Jew/token Catholic and I have to say, they're great fun. It's like a service, except no rabbi and more food and lots more wine. You needn't be frightened. Dress as you would for Easter dinner. The whole thing is lots of fun.
I made a flourless chocolate nutella cake for our little seder. I'd say you could just bring a bottle of (kosher for passover... the wine store should be able to help you with that), or flowers.
You'll be fine. Have fun!
Nice egg shot - one of them kinda looks like a globe.
I'm very excited for your first Seder. I'm still a Seder-virgin. Don't give us Catholics a bad name. Or rather, a worse name...
oh man. oh man. passover is the best holiday. i mean, there's nothing better than the family banding together to quietly make fun of the demented grandma and/or crazy uncle. maybe that's just my family.
i actually think you're SUPPOSED to invite a non-jew to the seder. you know, to tell the story, share the joy. or something.
just don't drink the wine from elijah's cup. and have fun looking for the afikomen.
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