Many Destinations Offer Passover Seders To The Public

By The Associated Press

Many Jewish families celebrate the Passover holiday with a Seder — a meal where the Exodus story is retold and special dishes are served. If you’re away from home this year on Passover, which begins on April 23 at sundown, you may be able to find a public Seder to attend. But contact the sponsor be-forehand; reservations are often requir-ed, even for informal events, to ensure adequate food. Fees vary; some Seders are free, others ask participants for voluntary donations, and others require advance payment.

• Groups affiliated with Hillel, the world’s largest Jewish campus organization, host Seders that are open to students as well as non-students throughout North America, South America, the former Soviet Union and Israel. Go to www.hillel.org, find the calendar on the right and click on “Passover,’’ then click “Find a community Seder near you.’’

• Chabad Houses, run by Lubavit-cher Jews, will be hosting more than 500 seders around the world. They range from events in hotels in Hono-lulu and Barcelona to a massive seder in Katmandu attended by 2,000 people each year, many of them young Israeli backpackers. The five Chabad seders in Thailand include one being held for the first time in Phuket. In Russia, the resurgent Jewish community turns out for seders in places like Moscow and Irkutsk. Chabad seders can also be found around the United States, from Las Vegas to Birmingham, Ala. Go to www.chabad.org/passover and click on “Find a seder’’ for details.

• Some hotels and restaurants host seders. In Miami Beach, the Alexander Hotel – (305) 341-6510 – can cater a seder on site or you can join a communal seder at the hotel led by a rabbi. At Chef Allen’s, in Aventura, Fla. (305) 935-2900, a gourmet seder menu will incorporate ingredients from around the world. In Manhattan, you’ll find seders at kosher restaurants like Le-vana (141 W. 69th St.) and Abigael’s (Broadway and 39th Street).