JERUSALEM—Jews everywhere are busy preparing for this year’s Passover seders, and the Chabad House in Jerusalem’s trendy Rechavia neighborhood is no different. It seems as if co-directors Rabbi Yisroel and Shoshana (“Shoshi”) Goldberg have learned how to move faster than the speed of light in order to prepare for the 200-plus Jews from all walks of life who participate in the mega-seder that has taken place for the past three years now.

“Our first year, we were expecting about 50 people, but almost 100 showed up,” said Rabbi Goldberg. “And then last year, when 180 reserved their places, we needed to hold the festivities in a much larger venue, at Heichal Shlomo [‘The Palace of Solomon’ and the former seat of the chief rabbinate of Israel] next to the Great Synagogue. In the end, almost 250 showed up. It was just incredible! We’ll be holding it there again this year because we got such a terrific response from members of the community and visitors near and far.”

Both the rabbi and his wife enthusiastically talked about the wide spectrum of people who come to celebrate—children, university students, the elderly, families, singles and, this being Jerusalem, travelers from just about everywhere.

RELATED

“We work hard to make it so everyone can understand and enjoy their seder. We seat people in smaller groups so they will have a home-like experience, in addition to a community feeling,” explains Shoshi Goldberg. “We have yeshivah students and young married scholars who help lead at the tables; that way, we can still maintain group unity while enjoying each other as individuals.”

The seder is run in both Hebrew and English, but accommodations can be made for those from abroad. “Last year, we had Italian and French speakers, so at those tables we had someone there who could translate, making it possible for them to feel part of the holiday,” she said. “And it was so wonderful to see what a good time they were having.”

Even before the seder, Passover starts to feel communal. First comes the cleaning madness to rid homes of chametz (leaven), followed by the task of selling it, along with others’chametz—something Chabad emissaries make it a point to do for community members. They also try to ensure that individuals and families have shmurah matzah, distributing boxes and boxes of it prior to Passover.

The Goldbergs, like many shluchim worldwide, also hold “Model Matzah Bakery” workshops for children in the weeks preceding Passover, organized with the Jerusalem municipality’s Ginot Ha’Ir community council. They have become a pre-holiday highlight.

But there’s always the focus on the seder. “If you are going to be in Jerusalem, there is a place reserved just for you,” insists the rabbi. “All you have to do is contact Chabad of Rechavia. And if you can’t do that, just come and find a seat. You will be most welcome.”

For information about finding a Paassover seder near you, visit the Chabad.org Passover Guide here.