Interfaith Pre-Passover Seder planned March 25

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Stambaugh Auditorium and Inspired Catering by Kravitz will host the second annual Interfaith Pre-Passover Seder at 6:30 p.m. March 25.

The meal and ceremony, conducted by Rabbi Joseph P. Schonberger of Temple El Emeth in Liberty and the Rev. George Balasko, will take place in the Grand Ballroom. Susan’s Seder Singers will be featured.

This authentic dinner will use a traditional Haggadah or Seder book for the service.

The event consists of traditional Passover foods such as unleavened bread, boiled eggs, and horseradish. There will also be matzoh ball soup, apricot-glazed chicken, matzoh casserole, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli and unleavened desserts.

Grape juice will also be provided, and bottles of kosher wine are available for pre-sale purchase.

A cash bar will be available.

A Seder is the traditional meal served on the first two nights of Passover. During the meal, there is a service which retells the story of Exodus.

In Exodus, the Jews were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, but, through divine efforts, they were freed from slavery and taken to the Promised Land.

In their haste to flee Egypt, the people carried their dough, still unleavened. For that reason, no leavening is used during Passover, and all Passover baking is made from unleavened bread, called matzoh.

This meal is of importance in Christianity because it celebrates the Christian’s tradition of the Last Supper, and Christianity’s own Jewish heritage.

This event is intended to demonstrate the common roots of Judaism and Christianity and to promote a better understanding between the faiths.

This event is made possible in part by contributions from TR Party Center, D&D Linens and WFMJ-TV. It is endorsed by Mahoning Valley Association of Churches and Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.

Tickets are on sale now. Reservations are required through StambaughAuditorium.com or by calling the Box Office at 330-259-0555. Reservations must be made by 6 p.m. March 23.

Inspired Catering by Kravitz is part of Kravitz Delicatessen, which was established in 1939 by Rose Kravitz on the north side of Youngstown.

In 1970, Kravitz moved to the current location on Belmont Avenue.

Now run by Rose’s son, Jack, the current location has evolved into a restaurant, catering service and bakery.

There is a second location, inside the Poland Library, and a banquet room, which can host up to 100 people.

Kravitz caters Seders for Temple El Emeth, Congregation Rodef Sholom, Temple Hadar Israeli in New Castle, Pa. and Temple Adat Sholom in Pittsburgh.

Stambaugh Auditorium is a nonprofit public site that opened in 1926 through the gift of Youngstown area businessman Henry H. Stambaugh.

The centerpiece of the complex is the Concert Hall, which has a seating capacity of 2,553 and is renowned for its near perfect acoustics.

The auditorium also features a 9,700-square-foot ballroom, a recital hall (The Anne Christman Memorial Hall), and a formal garden at the southern end of the building, all of which can be rented for public, business, or private functions.

The venue welcomes national and international performers on a regular basis while also hosting local and regional entertainment events.

Stambaugh Auditorium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.