by Austin C.
The Family Foundation School students, parents, and staff came together in the school gymnasium on April 9 for the Passover Seder—an evening of faith, food, and festivity. Rabbi Michele Medwin and staff members Chris Stein, Kurt Hock, Joe Barbiere, along with the Jewish students of FFS helped organize the event.
Although the Seder is a Jewish holiday, students and staff of all denominations pitched in to do what they could to help ensure the event was a success. Four non-Jewish students from each family volunteered to help serve the three-course meal. The food was prepared by Barbiere and his kitchen staff as well as students who volunteered to help cook.
The celebration began at 5 p.m. with the traditional blessings and rituals of Passover. “It’s definitely an experience I would never forget. I had fun and I had a great time. Watching people being engaged made me very proud of my religion,” said Emily T., one of the Jewish students who led the blessings.
Jake Lentz and the band, “The Saints of Swing,” added a classy touch to the evening, playing Jewish favorites such as “Pharaoh, Pharaoh,” “Dainu,” and “Ivdu Et.” The Family School’s own Nat L., a member of the school’s chorus and show choir, sang lead vocals for the night.
After about an hour of prayer and blessings, the waiters served the feast to the eagerly waiting guests. “The matza ball soup was good, but the chicken was outstanding. I can’t believe how good that chicken was,” Family Seven leader Jan Cheripko commented.
Once everyone at the table had their fill, the students who led the blessings returned to the head table for the final prayers and blessings. The Saints of Swing closed out the night with an enthralling rendition of “Hava Nagila,” as everyone danced the hora.
Dr. Sid Parham, Academic Vice President of FFS, said, “I thought the Seder was really good this year… I thought it was in many ways the best Seder we’ve done.”
