First time celebrating passover and I need help!?

Question

Ok this may sound a little strange.

Im 14 years old and I have always been attracted to Judaism since I learned about it (if that makes sense).

So I went to askmoses.com, and spoke to a rabbi about converting (I have my reasons)

When I told him about my family, he said that I do not need to convert as I already have a jewish soul and therefore am jewish.

This year I am planning on celebrating my freedom, but I live in a house with all catholics,

how do I celebrate?
What can I eat?
What are some meal Ideas?
What do I do if I sleep over someones house, and they are serving me dinner?

please help me as best as you can, I appreciate it.

Answer 1

Hi Bekka,



First of all to officially be considered "Jewish" you must have a Jewish mother, or go through a conversion process. Orthodox and Reform Judaism offer two different options for converting (Orthodox is more strict and widely accepted...Reform conversions are not accepted by Orthodox Jews). Since you are 14, I would recommend continuing to learn and try things and consider conversion once you are 18 if it feels right for you.



To celebrate Passover, the best thing to do is try to find a seder (Passover meal held on the first two nights - this year, Weds Apr 8 and Thurs Apr 9) in your community. Try calling a local synagogue, or searching on chabad.org to see if there is a Chabad house in your community. (Just be aware that Chabad is a particular sect of Orthodox Judaism with certain beliefs not shared by all Jews - however, they are also extremely welcoming to all people interested in learning about or observing Judaism, which is why I am recommending them for a seder!)



Regarding food, Jews do not eat any products with wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt from sundown on Weds Apr 8 until 1 hour after sundown on Thurs Apr 16. (These dates change every year because Jewish holidays occur according to the Jewish calendar, which goes by the moon and is different from the secular calendar which goes by the sun). These products are considered chametz and are forbidden during Passover, as well as any products containing them. The only time grains are allowed are when they are baked in matzah, in a special process supervised by a rabbi to ensure that they do not rise (leaven). Foods that are kosher (allowed) for Passover will be marked on the box - there are many different accepted symbols such as a U inside a circle - symbols vary depending on what rabbi or authorized institution gives the certification. It MUST say kosher for Passover, as many items that are kosher the rest of the year are not ok on Passover. Additionally, Jews whose families come from Eastern Europe do not eat rice, corn, beans, and other legumes (these are called kitniyot, literally meaning "small things")...this includes items with corn syrup.



Items that do not need to be specially marked include fresh fruits and vegetables. Eggs, fish, and dairy are also fine if you eat those.



Try asking in your local supermarket if there is a Passover section.



Please also be aware that the majority of Jews in America are not that strict about following the kosher restrictions for Passover. I.e. most do not worry about corn syrup, or just avoid bread, pasta, cake, etc - obvious type items.



I would recommend looking for a few Passover items in the grocery store like matzah (honestly matzah is kind of gross!!), trying to participate in a seder, and continuing to learn about the holiday. THere are a lot of good resources online, I will link a few reputable sources below for you. (These websites are also good for learning anything else about Judaism as well!!)



Good luck with your learning!

Answer 2

Contact a rabbi IN YOUR AREA. Someone who, hopefully, can either take you under his/her wing, or help you find someone who will "adopt" you for the holiday...someone who can invite you to their seder, and help you to learn.



At your age, that rabbi is right, it is not necessary, indeed, may even be illegal, for you to convert. This should be a time for you to learn, though. If you can find a family/families who will invite you to their celebrations...See, most of Judaism is very much an at home religion...so much of the celebration takes place in the home, that it is often viewed as the soul of the religion.





Actually, being a vegetarian can help make keeping kosher easier...if you don't eat meat, you don't need to make sure the meat is kosher, and you aren't going to mix it with milk inadvertantly. EVERYONE I know where I live (far from a large Jewish community) who keeps kosher ALSO is a vegetarian.



Anyone "adopting" you will fill you in on what to stay away from for the week. You'll want to pick up a box or two of PASSOVER Matzah, and stay away from breads and floured things for the week. Lots of eggs! (hope you mean lacto-ovo) and tons of cheese and butter. Tuna? do you eat tuna? That's good for pesach, too.

Answer 3

To Celebrate you should find a Seder near you.

To eat just Do NOT eat bread, and food that has yeast. You CAN eat matzo a good recipe is Matzo pizza- spread pizza sauce on Matzo, put cheese, microwave for 1 - 2 minutes ENJOY! You can eat egg or potato salad and use the Matzo like crackers.Bake potatoe,or sweet potatoe Try to eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits hummus spread on matzo,lentil,tomato,vegetable soups. potato pancakes are o.k, Stir fry veggies,grill veggies, buy matzo meal and use it instead of bread crumbs to bread mushrooms ,eggplant and cauliflower but try to use veggie oil instead of peanut oil-

- You should also try to clean your home to get rid of any bread at home "I know you live w/ christians so don't stress your self on this too much just try to clean your room very well to make sure you are free of bread crumbs"

- Just try your best remember it is your first Passover so just hang w/ it some people eat rice during this Holiday some people don't " it depends on them" I do Just try not to eat bread or yeast directly and you will be fine. GOOD LUCK!!!!

--On the sleep over gig "just try to be polite and eat all the veggies they serve.

---Ask if you can help w/dinner this way you can make sure there is something you can eat. Make chinesse stir fri veggies and rice.

---Bring a fruit and veggie platter for the host "that way you can eat 2"

----Bring your Matzo and other Kosher 4 passover snacks, fruits to snack on.

---Try Nutella on Matzo is great or you can buy a kosher for passover Israely chocolate spread at the store.

--by the way I am also a vegetarian but I do eat egg and a little chesse sometimes.

Answer 4

well i don't know about this "jewish soul" stuff, never heard that before. my sister was required to convert to judiasm because she was adopted from a catholic family. but anyways.



you can celebrate it by attending a sedar. a synagogue in your area should have one, i'd contact someone there that's in charge and ask about attending.

you can't eat anything with a leavening agent (like yeast). so that puts out bread, cakes, pastries, cereal, pancakes, etc.

meal ideas are just what you'd normally eat minus the food with leavening agents or you can substitute. like instead of bread, eat matzo. and you can buy special passover cereals and stuff like that/

and if you sleep over at someone's house just explain that you're observing passover and that you can't eat everything.



you're welcome to message me if you have any questions.

Answer 5

Perhaps you want to see first hand how a seder looks someplace in your area. Let me know if you would like me to find you a place. If you email me, I can also send you a pdf or two all about the Passover Holiday.

Answer 6

My dear, the rabbi is right (for now) since he realizes your position better than we. I myself am Jewish (you may view My Questions & Answers); however, I attended St. Joseph's University and La Salle College in Philadelphia, and I had the greatest admiration for the priests and brothers. Perhaps you identify more with our mentality than our religion, which isn't to say that you cannot keep our mitzvot although you will need to understand them, as well as how they differ from those practiced under Catholicism...in short you will have to put yourself in Jesus' shoes and understand why he left Judaism to go in his direction. For the time being you should Honor Your Parents as well as read the Book of Ruth, which we shall be reciting in 7 weeks.