I hope everyone had a joyous Purim.  Now we get ready to gather in each other’s homes for the Passover seder, the only Jewish ritual still practiced continually since Biblical times.  If you’d like to observe a seder but don’t have anywhere to go, call the Temple office and ask about the seder-match program.  If you’re running a seder this year, please consider letting Cecily know you’d love to have a guest from TBA.

Temple Beth Am will observe Passover officially for seven days, but we recognize that many members keep eight days personally.  From April 12 to April 19, there will be no chametz (leavened bread) in the Temple.  The Shabbat morning minyan on April 15 falls during Passover, so please don’t bring chametz to the potluck.

Our question this month also deals with food policy.  Several people have mentioned it, and RPC [ed.: the Religious Practices Committee] will once again consider it:

Q:  Recently, there have been B’nai Mitzvah luncheons at which meat dishes were served.  Don’t these luncheons have to be dairy?

A:  No, there is no policy mandating dairy luncheons.  The Temple’s food policy, adopted in 1976, appears in the B’nai Mitzvah handbook and states that pork and shellfish may not be served, but does not mention the separation of milk and meat.  However, because most of our luncheons are dairy, many in our community have come to expect dairy food.

This confusion arises every time a meat dish is served.  Most recently, in October, RPC considered the matter and did not pass a new policy.  We will consider the food policy once again at our May and June meetings.

One idea is to make the Shabbat luncheons dairy.  Proponents of a dairy policy say it would greatly simplify life, and point out the variety of vegetarian and dairy dishes that would each make a wonderful luncheon centerpiece.  They acknowledge, however, that many members would not prefer such a policy.

Another idea is labeling.  In the past, people have mistaken chicken salad for potato salad, and chopped liver for lentils.  Proponents of labeling see it as a less restrictive way to give people informed choices, while acknowledging that many members would prefer that community meals be dairy.

What’s clear is that people feel very strongly.  Some of us long for a kosher Temple where we can eat freely.  Others of us here seek a Judaism free from the joyless strictures we remember.  We are Reform Jews, but our practices differ.  We need to live, celebrate, pray, and eat together under one roof.  My challenging job as Chair is to run the upcoming discussion fairly, encouraging us to think not just of our own practices, but of what we can live with alongside our friends whose practices differ.

We make decisions democratically.  Our meetings are open to all members.  To vote, you must join the Committee.  I encourage everyone who feels strongly to attend our May 11 and June 8 meetings (7:30 pm at Temple).  On May 11 we’ll generate ideas and rank-order them.  On June 8 we’ll attempt to pass one policy from that list; members who also attended the May meeting will be permitted to vote.  If you wish to attend May 11, please let me know before April 20 so I can request a larger room if necessary.

Finally, our usual April meeting date falls on the second Passover seder night.  We will meet instead on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:30 pm.