The ultimate Pesach mensch
The last few months have been very good for Abraham Lincoln. Ever since the release of Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” the 16th president has been the talk of the town — and it’s become (almost) cool to be a Civil War buff. Now that it’s Passover season, why not keep the Lincoln theme going? This year’s Interfaith Multicultural Passover Freedom Seder at the JCC of San Francisco will honor the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Just give the man some payes and an Elijah cup, and this beacon of freedom becomes the ultimate Passover mensch. Below is a list of large community seders; many synagogues also will host seders open to the public.
friday/15
Shabbat service followed by staged reading. Aaron Davidman performs his piece “Wrestling Jerusalem” on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. At Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. Service at 7 p.m. Free. www.emanuelsf.org.
tuesday/19
Freedom Seder. Interfaith multicultural seder honoring the Emancipation Proclamation. At JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., S.F. 6:30 p.m. $10-$30. www.jccsf.org.
wednesday/20
Women’s seder. Led by Tova Birnbaum, East Coast emissary of the World Zionist Organization. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 10:30 a.m. $12-$15. www.paloaltojcc.org.
monday/25
East Bay community seders. For people of all religious backgrounds. At both branches of JCC of the East Bay in Oakland, 5811 Racine St., and in Berkeley, 1414 Walnut St. Both at 7:30 p.m. $20-$60. Seders for young children at 5 p.m. $15-$25. www.jcceastbay.org.
Marin County Freedom Seder. Interfaith vegetarian dinner. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 6:30 p.m. $15-$25. RSVP to (415) 444-8000. www.marinjcc.org.
tuesday/26
Seder for singles. Potluck for young adults. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 7 p.m. $15-$20. www.paloaltojcc.org/potluckseder.