Pre-Seder

The chicken soup and matzoh balls Are ready for the pot. The hard-boiled eggs are in the fridge. (We never eat them hot.) The items for the Seder plate All wait for their debut, With my homemade charoses. (Google if you have no clue.) The chicken cutlets, farfel-topped And stuffing made from same Will share the table with some veggies, Sautéed to acclaim. Of course, there’ll be gefilte fish With horseradish (so hot!) And grape juice or sweet Kosher wine, Which really hits the spot. With home-baked brownies and Some cookies vying for dessert Along with lotsa matzoh, There’s an “Oy, I’m stuffed!” alert. But all the food is not, to me, The most important part - It’s sharing these traditions with Those closest to my heart.

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/29/2021 9:11:00 PM

Your words are sweeter than the gefilte, ilene. Hope you've had nice seders, and thanks for penning a FAVE for me! Happy Passover, Gershon

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 3/28/2021 3:09:00 PM

Surely, it's the companionship and not the food that are most important. Still, it sounds like you enjoyed some great feasts! Thank you for sharing these memories with us. Best wishes, Carolyn

Robert Pettit

Date: 3/27/2021 5:57:00 PM

Everything is described so well in this write. I can just see Charlton Heston, Yvonne DeCarlo, and the others sitting together for the very first Seder in "The Ten Commandments"!

Jan Allison

Date: 3/27/2021 3:17:00 PM

oh Ilene I so loved this time of year when i was a private nanny - I adored the traditions and the food... you have brought back so many memories:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/27/2021 12:46:00 PM

Your right Ilene, as nice as the food is its who you share it with that counts. Tom

Rico Leffanta

Date: 3/27/2021 12:01:00 PM

Another winner! Your, "Google if you have no clue" line fits like the missing piece to a puzzle! Well done, Ilene! Aloha! Rico

L Milton Hankins

Date: 3/27/2021 11:38:00 AM

Ilene, your poem reminded me of several Seders I shared with Jewish friends over the years. It's a rich, meaningful tradition, and I always enjoyed it, although I'm not Jewish. Wonderful poem describing your tradition.