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Passover Seder for 2005 State Elementary Chess Players and Families
The upcoming Washington State Elementary Chess Championship tournament will
be on Saturday, 23 April 2005, a date chosen over a year ago. That same
Saturday evening is also the first Seder of Passover, 15 Nisan 5765, a
regrettable conflict that was discovered just a few months ago.
In order to enable Jewish kids to both celebrate the holiday and play in the
State tournament, George Ostrow has organized a seder in Bellingham. George
is not connected to the organization of the 2005 State tournament (though he
did organize the 2004 State tournament in Bellevue). He is doing this seder
voluntarily, for the benefit of affected players and their families
including his own. Most of the details have been worked out, as listed
below.
If you would like to join us and have not done so already, please RSVP with
your name, number of adults, and number of children to
georgechess@seanet.com.
CHESS SEDER DETAILS
WHO
Elementary State Chess players and their families who wish to celebrate the
First Seder together as a community. Non-Jews are welcome. So far, 13
families comprising about 20 adults and 20 children have said they will
attend.
TIME
Saturday evening, 23 April 2005, approximately 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Will
start about 1/2 hour after the final trophies are presented. Seder ceremony
for about 1 hour, then meal for about 1/2 hour, then afikomen hunt and
ceremony closing for about 1/2 hour.
PLACE
Fox Hall West, at the Hampton Inn, exit 258 off I-5, next to Bellingham
Airport, about 10 miles south of the chess tournament site. Hotel telephone
is (360) 676-7700. Rental includes tables, chairs, tablecloths, paper
plates, plastic ware, napkins, a water service, a coffee service, and
janitorial. The hall is ours from 6 PM to 10 PM. It is large enough to
seat 125 people!
FOOD PROVIDED
George will prepare and bring the ritual foods for the Seder plate as well
as ritual items like candles. Dinner will be obtained by George from the
nearby Fred Meyer deli. Menu is roasted chicken, baked salmon, mashed
potatoes, french fries, fruit platter, veggie platter, garden salad. Intent
is to provide both adult and child friendly food. A temporary liquor
license has been obtained allowing us to bring and pour our own wine.
KASHRUT
Food will not be prepared in a kosher kitchen, will not be kosher for
Passover, and may even contain trace amounts of chametz such as corn syrup
solids. This is the best we can do given the situation. Nevertheless, we
are striving to make this event chametz free, so please do not bring any
foods containing grains.
WHAT TO BRING
Each family attending is asked to bring one box of matzah, one bottle of
wine or grape juice, and either a tub of charoset or a Passover dessert to
share. Also, bring a pillow for each person (on this night we recline) and
a kippah (or any hat) if you choose to wear one.
HAGGADOT
George has assembled a lively text that mixes blessing, eating, drinking,
and singing, all designed to maintain a high level of child interest. This
seder will complete the ceremony (all four cups and Nirtzah) before the
dinner is served, so that only the afikomen and a short blessing after the
meal remain for afterwards. Each person will be provided with a xeroxed
copy of the Haggadah as well as song sheets. Those with nice voices are
encouraged to lead the songs, and we'll be looking to the youngest willing
child(ren) to ask the four questions. Please bring any favorite traditions
to share.
COST
Expenses to cover include $60 for facility rental, $10 for liquor license,
about $300 for dinner food, and $40 for xeroxing. So the cost per adult
will be around $15 and per child around $10. Final amounts will be
calculated just before we start, and George would appreciate payment at that
time.
QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS
Contact George Ostrow at georgechess@seanet.com (until noon on Friday, 22
April) or by cell phone 206-769-8159.
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2009 Washington State Elementary