temple Etz Chaim to celebrate festival of Passover

The festival of Passover begins the evening of Wed., March 27. Passover commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from bondage in ancient Egypt. Temple Etz Chaim will offer the following activities and services to observe the holiday.

Children attending religious school at Temple Etz Chaim will learn to bake Matzah and to conduct a Seder. Each class will have a model Seder featuring traditional foods. Children will be encouraged to ask questions to learn about their heritage.

In commemoration of the plague of the first-born in ancient times, first-born Jewish males are to fast the day before Passover. A special service for the first-born males called Siyum B’Chorim will be offered at 6:45 a.m. on Wed., March 27 at the temple.

A Community Seder will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thurs., March 28. Rabbi Richard Spiegel and Hazzan Pablo Duek will conduct the service. It is open to temple members as well as the community at large and will include readings, singing, traditional Passover rituals and a catered five-course meal. Reservations are due by Fri., March 22. For the cost of the Seder and reservations, please call (805) 497-6891.

Passover services will be offered at 10 a.m. on March 28 to 29 and April 3 to 4. On April 4, the last day of the holiday, it’s customary to include Yizkor, the special memorial prayers for deceased relatives and friends. The community is welcome to attend.

Rabbi Spiegel, spiritual leader of Temple Etz Chaim, will be happy to answer any questions concerning the ritual observance of the holiday.

The temple is at 1080 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

For more information, please call (805) 497-6891.