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.

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    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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    15 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    12 years ago

    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.

    12 years ago

    “Kosher style” equals trefe.

    Ahuvah54
    Ahuvah54
    12 years ago

    This is fascinating.
    I notice that everyone has a pillow. Some things he so “gets” and some things he is so clueless on.

    Ahuvah54
    Ahuvah54
    12 years ago

    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.

    victorg
    victorg
    12 years ago

    Were there any jews there?
    Did Obama conduct the seder? Did they do it in English?
    Would love to see a video!

    Paskunyak
    Paskunyak
    12 years ago

    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.

    volfie
    volfie
    12 years ago

    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 .

    12 years ago

    So the real question is- did they serve kitniyos or not?
    I guess it depends if fried chicken is considered Kitniyos.

    marcia
    marcia
    12 years ago

    The real outrage I had was when Obama compared Pesach to the happenings by the Muslimes in Egypt now.

    heyward
    heyward
    12 years ago

    Mr. President please dont get carried away. There is only two Sadurim,,,