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Photo: Pete Souza, The White House / AP Photo
President Obama is hosting his third annual White House Seder on the first night of Passover, April 18, 2011, complete with a full Seder menu including brisket, noodle kugel and macaroons.
The tradition started in a windowless basement of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Sheraton , during the April 2008 campaign, when Eric Lesser, then Ground Logistic Coordinator (he's now the Director of Strategic Planning for Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers), got his hands on an "emergency Seder kit" from the University of Pennsylvania's Hillel Center. As Lesser and his fellow campaign staffers Arun Chaudhary and Herbie Ziskend were about to begin the Seder, Obama asked if he could join.
Instead of ending the meal with the customary "Next year in Jerusalem," Obama said "Next year in the White House." True to his word, the Seder continues at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Since the campaign, the Seder has upgraded its locale to much nicer digs, but the original founders can still be found around the table. Last year, the Obamas hosted about 20 guests, all of whom took turns reading the Haggadah. Sasha found the Afikomen and was also "a champ" at answering questions from the Haggadah text, said then-Senior Advisor David Axelrod.
Many of the recipes were provided by Seder guests, which included family friends of the Obamas, as well as White House staffers and family members.
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4-16-2011 @3:53PM b.a. said... To the Slashfood Editor:
Your story on the Passover Seder to be held at the White House, contained a blaring error.
On Passover only matzo, unleavened bread is served. Noodles are not unleavened, therefore, NO noodle kugel is served. Noodle kugel for those who do not know, is a dish that has egg noodles and various other ingredients such as eggs and other dairy. It is NOT served on Passover.
If you are a "food editor" you have a responsiblity to know of that which you write. Traditional dishes are such as brisket, charoset, representing the mortar and bricks of the temple, it is made of apples, nuts, honey, etc. Matzo of course, and many other dishes are served.
It is wonderful that President Obama and his family participate. To all, Chag Sameach, and catch us at Rosh Hashanah.. we will be having.......noodle kugel!
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4-16-2011 @4:52PM Alice said... It's my understanding that kugel is indeed on the menu, but it's made with kitniyot noodles.
4-16-2011 @9:18PM joe said... @b.a: how ignorant are you? My family makes noodle kugel ever passover with special noodles. maybe you should learn what your talking about.
4-17-2011 @11:31AM Jack Steen said... Take it easy on the errant Shebrew !
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4-17-2011 @9:26PM latenight20009 said... Nothing wrong with the Maxwell House haggadah, but maybe for next year someone
will suggest more interesting options.
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4-18-2011 @12:34PM alyce goldstein said... I'm absolutely "overwhelmed" that "O" is courting the Jews while throwing Israel under the bus. When will the dummies wake up and see what "O" and Holder are REALLY about. You Jews seem to have quickly forgotten Rev. Wright's invectives. Your parents evidently NEVER taught you that you associate with people of like beliefs.
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4-18-2011 @2:03PM Jennifer said... Throwing Israel under the bus?
No one should support that bastard state (Nevermind that we hold no loyalty to any political state. Or have you forgotten your faith?). Especially not when they're doing to the Palestinians what was done to my family during the Holocaust.
Shame on you.
4-18-2011 @2:14PM gobo said... It's entirely inappropriate to imply that the Jewish members of the White House staff shouldn't be allowed to have a Passover seder, and to accuse the President of racism.
Don't troll on this site, "alyce".
4-18-2011 @12:22PM Tenli said... Do the girls attend? Who does the four questions?
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4-18-2011 @12:22PM Tenli said... Do the girls attend? Who does the four questions?
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4-18-2011 @4:15PM Rhoda said... 1. Noodle pudding is definitely allowed if made with special noodles. I made a whole batch for our seder soup.
2. question: Why isn't the President wearing a Yarmulka?
3. Enough with slamming Israel. It's the only country in the MIddle East that hasn't attacked America or Americans.
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4-19-2011 @11:07AM Ben said... to #2:
Perhaps he feels that, not being his religion, it is not his place to wear one. Fair enough, especially if those hosting are not strict.
4-20-2011 @12:05PM geral said... It is wonderful to read that the white house participates in the celibration of Passover
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