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Home Front: Culture Wars
President Obama to host Passover Seder at the White House again
2010-03-28
Some of his best friends are Jews, so he can't possibly be an antisemite (or Jew-hater, the crass old term it was invented to replace). The New York Times headline: Next Year in the White House: A Seder Tradition
So begins the story of the Obama Seder, now one of the newest, most intimate and least likely of White House traditions. When Passover begins at sunset on Monday evening, Mr. Obama and about 20 others will gather for a ritual that neither the rabbinic sages nor the founding fathers would recognize.

In the Old Family Dining Room, under sparkling chandeliers and portraits of former first ladies, the mostly Jewish and African-American guests will recite prayers and retell the biblical story of slavery and liberation, ending with the traditional declaration "Next year in Jerusalem." (Never mind the current chill in the administration's relationship with Israel.)
Chill indeed. It wouldn't be polite at a ceremonial dinner to discuss who chose to turn down the thermostat to nearly zero on the Kelvin scale. Especially given that the object of that chill was not permitted to eat at that table.
No one led the proceedings; everyone took turns reading aloud. Mr. Obama had brought Reggie Love, his personal aide, Ms. Jarrett and Eric Whitaker, another close friend, all African-American. Jennifer Psaki, the traveling press secretary, and Samantha Tubman, a press assistant, filtered in. Neither had ever been to a Seder, but they knew the Exodus story, Ms. Psaki from Catholic school and Ms. Tubman from childhood Sundays at black churches.

They peppered the outnumbered Jews at the table with questions, which the young men sometimes struggled to answer. "We're not exactly crack Hebrew scholars," said Mr. Lesser, now an assistant to Mr. Axelrod.
This, my dears, is what pets look like, not equals. Equals aren't required to perform for the edification and amusement of others, they're allowed their little moments of privacy.
Posted by:trailing wife

#16  actually the year of the last supper, there was a dispute on the date. the first day of the month begins when the new moon is spotted. the officials in the temple (who the Sanhedrin agreed to use) did not see the moon the first night that another group claimed to. Jesus and the 12 were celebrating on the 'earlier' day based on the unofficial spotting of the moon while the Sanhedrin had an extra day.

worth noting that the temple sacrifice took place at the time of Christ gave up his spirit as described in the NT (between the evenings). probably not the place for derailing the thread, but there is a LOT of correlation with last supper and passover seder as well as crucifixion and temple passover sacrifice.
Posted by: abu do you love   2010-03-28 16:21  

#15  The US is considering abstaining from a possible UN Security Council resolution against Israeli settlement expansion in East Jerusalem, the BBC has learned.

when will US Jooos note that the worst treatment of Israel has been at Democrat hands?

/Ht Weasel Zippers
Posted by: Frank G   2010-03-28 15:19  

#14  Will he be able to get back from Afghanistan in time to celebrate?
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2010-03-28 13:43  

#13  "Are they going to invite Jews?"

I wonder if he's going to invite moslems, Steve - in the interest of inclusiveness, of course. Or maybe the Right Wrong "Reverand" Wright? :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2010-03-28 13:35  

#12  Pharaoh holding a Seder?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2010-03-28 13:30  

#11  TW, I disgree with you. We love and hold our pet as family. This is a sunday night entertainment, more akin to having the discovery channel live in your home. A lot like inviting a hobo to lunch to make yourself feel more important. Disgusting...
Posted by: 49 Pan   2010-03-28 11:36  

#10  offensive.
Posted by: newc   2010-03-28 10:37  

#9  I bet the dumb son of a bitch serves pork chops.
Posted by: OldSpook   2010-03-28 10:33  

#8  This follows on the successful White House celebration of Purim. Obama got to play the part of Haman
Posted by: DMFD   2010-03-28 10:27  

#7  a Jewish boycott would be nice and appropriate
Posted by: Frank G   2010-03-28 10:20  

#6  Michelle has a 1st cousin who is a Rabbi (a mostly black congregation in the Chicago region I think).

As for the last supper being a Seder, the last supper narrative in the NT seems consistent with this. However, it seems the Sanhedrin was in session the next day (or the day after). It is somewhat doubtful that this would be the case as the intermediate days of Passover have a high degree of holiness and this would prevent convening of the Sanhedrin.
Posted by: lord garth   2010-03-28 10:09  

#5  Another step to a politically correct, secularized, all-inclusive, sanitized and modernized religion? I don't see a problem.
Posted by: Highlander   2010-03-28 10:08  

#4  The Last Supper was a Seder.
Posted by: Perfesser   2010-03-28 09:21  

#3  Some of his best friends are Jews

Soros?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2010-03-28 08:57  

#2  Tossing a kosher bone to the Jewish demographic while he takes a break from forcing Israel further along the plank.
Posted by: Bulldog   2010-03-28 08:45  

#1  Are they going to invite Jews this year? 'Cause that would pro'lly set back the Palestinian Peace Process(tm).
Posted by: SteveS   2010-03-28 08:32  

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