by Mark Silva
What makes Thursday evening different from all other evenings?
President Obama will play host for a Passover seder at the White House for friends and family on the second day of the eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the end of enslavement of Jews in Egypt.
"President Obama and his family will mark the beginning of Passover with a Seder at the White House with friends and staff,'' the White House notes on its schedule.
Obama participated in a Passover seder with staff and a few friends last year while campaigning for the Democratic nomination, an aide has told FOX News, and Obama liked it so much he played off the traditional refrain at the end of the seder by calling out: "Next Year in the White House."
"This year's seder is meant not only to celebrate the holiday, but also to reflect on all that has happened in our lives since last year's seder in Harrisburg," the aide says."This is apparently the first time a president has participated in a seder at the White House."
President Clinton's staff held seders during the holiday, but the president did not attend. Obama is hosting this one tomorrow evening.
Obama has paid tribute to other ethnic and religious holidays as well, including the Persian New Yearand the coming Easter holiday -- the White House will host its annual egg roll.
Comments
I heard he caught a cold at the beginning of his recent trip overseas. This might be an excellent way to get some chicken soup (aka Jewish pencillin) into him. Matzo balls, optional. Of course the horseradish, also used during the holiday, will clear out the sinuses and then some.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | April 8, 2009 8:25 PM