One of the most popular questions during the San Francisco Jewish Home’s Passover seder is this: How many pounds of matzah does it take to feed almost 450 people?
Answer: about 700 pounds.
Of course, the sheer complexity of having a seder for so many people, a good number of whom have specialized medical and dietary needs, can’t be measured in pounds of food alone. Many of the seder’s organizers said that the massive undertaking at the Jewish Home offers profound insights into the true meaning of Passover.
“This seder is a much more reflective experience” than many others, said Rabbi Sheldon Marder, the Jewish Home’s spiritual leader. Passover at the Home is a learning experience for everyone, he said, himself included.
“Many people are dealing with issues of mortality at the Home, and there isn’t an individual resident here who hasn’t experienced the bitterness and the suffering that are part of Passover.
“Conversely, the blessing is being able to find meaning in that suffering. Rabbi Richard Levy offered a reflection on the maror — which I often quote from — that finds joy in all the understanding and compassion that can be released from the fruits of bitterness. I find that’s very poignant, because people at the Jewish Home are obviously searching more for meaning than the afikomen.”
They are also looking for connection — often to the things they hold dear from the past.
Susie Fung, the Home’s director of nutritional services, noted that the menu is often based on resident suggestions and recipes. This year’s seder will feature chocolate mousse torte, mushroom blintzes, and matzah latkes, for example. All three items were inspired by resident recipes.
Fung added that preparing for the seder is an “all hands on deck” experience, where the kitchen is completely kashered the evening before, and the actual meal preparation doesn’t begin until the morning of the first seder.
Making the process even more complex is the fact that there are 11 different seders at the Home, Fung pointed out, with each one based on the varying needs of residents. Some seders are tailored for those with Alzheimer’s, while others cater to those with physical disabilities. A few are conducted in Russian to accommodate the emigre population. In addition, accommodations are made for extended family members who wouldn’t otherwise have a place to celebrate Passover.
“Coordination is the key,” said Fung. “That and a good sense of humor, because things can go nuts real quick.”
Passover at the Jewish Home also requires some gritty perseverance, a quality that Ada Schwarz, a former board member of the facility, has in abundance. Schwarz, originally from Germany, has been involved in different capacities at the Home for more than 30 years.
“It’s a wonderful way to be involved with the community and keep all these great traditions alive,” said the Belmont resident. “The friendships you form at the Home are much different than the ones you experience growing up as a child.
“Emotionally, it can be very difficult to see people you’ve befriended pass on, but at the same time you’re happy that there’s a place that provides them with a link to their past and their traditions.
“Passover at the Home is so wonderful, because the food stirs memories, and all the melodies that people sing are the same ones that people remember from when they were children. The idea that we are one people is very much alive when it comes to Passover at the Jewish Home.”