Washington - Obama Hosts Third Passover Seder at the White House |
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama mark the beginning of Passover with a Seder in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House, April 18, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)Washington - U.S. President Barack Obama hosted a Passover seder at the White House Monday night together with his wife Michelle and a small group of Jewish and non-Jewish staff and family. This is the third year in a row in which Obama has hosted a seder.
While this year’s seder was not strictly kosher for Passover, it was “kosher style,” with a menu put together by White House staff, with some family recipes from staffers. Among the recipes were chicken soup with matzah balls, braised beef brisket, potato kugel, carrot soufflé, and matzoh chocolate cake.
The Maxwell House Haggadah was used for the seder, published by the coffee maker, very basic but with all the elements.
The guests at the White House seder include Obama daughters Malia and Sasha plus a group of Obama 2008 campaign staffers who found themselves in Harrisbug, Pennsylvania on Passover 2008.
Read more at Haaretz
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Read Comments (15) — Post Yours »
1
Apr 20, 2011 at 10:20 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Each year they remind us that they didn't kasher the WH kitchen for yom tov and the food served did not have chasside hasgacha as if we didn't know that. The significance of the event is cultural, not halachic.
2
Apr 20, 2011 at 10:33 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
"Kosher style" equals trefe.
3
Apr 20, 2011 at 10:56 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ "Kosher style" equals trefe. ”
What you call "trefe" is the type of food eaten by 90 percent of American yidden. Don't be so judgemental. This event was not supposed to be a glatt kosher seder where they read the entire hagaddah. It was important to those who attended since Obama has done more to promote the pesach theme of geullah throughout the world than any President in American history.
4
Apr 20, 2011 at 11:39 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is fascinating.
I notice that everyone has a pillow. Some things he so "gets" and some things he is so clueless on.
5
Apr 20, 2011 at 11:43 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
You folks are talking about whether it's "kosher style" or "tref." Look out the window; it's daylight, okay? Of *course* it's not kosher!
The Jews who attended are willing to overlook that, same as they probably overlook it in their private seders with friends and family.
I don't really like Obama, but I am touched by his reaching out in this way. I don't understand it, and it's not going to make me vote for him, but he gets an A for effort.
6
Apr 21, 2011 at 12:20 AM clear-thinker Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ "Kosher style" equals trefe. ”
Do you think this is the reason that you were overlooked on the guest list? Perhaps next year in Washington for you. May we all be in Jerusalem next year.
7
Apr 21, 2011 at 01:39 AM victorg Says:Report as Inappropriate
Were there any jews there?
Did Obama conduct the seder? Did they do it in English?
Would love to see a video!
8
Apr 21, 2011 at 04:08 AM Paskunyak Says:Report as Inappropriate
He celebrates all the religious holiday for votes.
The next holiday is a Muslim one.
A friend of mine just started his own business in Afghanistan .
He's making land mines that look like prayer mats.
It's doing well.
He says prophets are going through the roof.
9
Apr 21, 2011 at 08:33 AM volfie Says:Report as Inappropriate
its P R to attract the votes of the liberal jews who put this guy in the white house.
did they eat gebruchts ? was watermelon given for dessert ? absolutely a meaningless performance with everyone eating chametz !!
with the republicans back into the W H maybe they will do it with the hashgachah
of some reliable kosher caterer .
10
Apr 21, 2011 at 10:10 AM AP Says:Report as Inappropriate
So the real question is- did they serve kitniyos or not?
I guess it depends if fried chicken is considered Kitniyos.
11
Apr 21, 2011 at 10:20 AM clear-thinker Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ So the real question is- did they serve kitniyos or not?
I guess it depends if fried chicken is considered Kitniyos. ”
The real question is: Do you think you are funny because you are a racist, or is your racism interfering with your humor.
12
Apr 21, 2011 at 10:42 AM Mentsh Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ its P R to attract the votes of the liberal jews who put this guy in the white house.
did they eat gebruchts ? was watermelon given for dessert ? absolutely a meaningless performance with everyone eating chametz !!
with the republicans back into the W H maybe they will do it with the hashgachah
of some reliable kosher caterer . ”
With the Republicans back in the White House, they probably won't do it at all!
13
Apr 21, 2011 at 11:42 AM Jimmy37 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Each year they remind us that they didn't kasher the WH kitchen for yom tov and the food served did not have chasside hasgacha as if we didn't know that. The significance of the event is cultural, not halachic. ”
There is no significance to this event other than it being a publicity stunt. Since Obama is half-black, he can use it as an allusion to black slavery and their emancipation. Everything this man does has a political calculation associated with it.
14
Apr 21, 2011 at 11:49 AM marcia Says:Report as Inappropriate
The real outrage I had was when Obama compared Pesach to the happenings by the Muslimes in Egypt now.
15
Apr 21, 2011 at 11:50 AM heyward Says:Report as Inappropriate
Mr. President please dont get carried away. There is only two Sadurim,,,