April 2, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

A Very Westside Passover: Open Temple Exodus Seder Crawl

By Rabbi Lori Shapiro

 

Outside of the Bible, there is no greater artifact of Jewish civilization than the Passover Haggadah, the storybook that leads us through the Seder. Thousands exist throughout history – from illuminated Jewish manuscripts from the medieval era to the famed Santa Cruz Haggadah with the sacrificial tofu. The Haggadah reminds us that while there is a set form (seder, the ritual meal, literally means “order”), there is no one way to do Passover, and invites us to find our own unique Jewish voice and creative expression.

This year, Open Temple’s Seder Crawl does just that. In addition to wine stations (uh- four cups!) participants will engage in a three-hour tour through Venice as well as Judaism’s famed history. As Passover is a holiday that spotlights freedom from oppression and the Israelites fleeing their Egyptian taskmasters, Open Temple participants will learn of Venice’s own history of oppression – both past and present. Special guests include members of the Oakwood community, artist Robin Murez, performance artists, and musicians. Our seder leads us through landmarks of Venice art and history as we learn about concepts of freedom, justice, and spiritual awakening. Most importantly, we will identify our own stories “from oppression to freedom” as the instruction of the Haggadah commands “in each generation, it is as if YOU came out of Egypt.”

Throughout our Quest, participants will face our own local four Questions: around homelessness, gentrification, preserving artists’ presence in Venice and how to apply our own soul journeys to our local justice needs. A seder is an embodied experience where we, literally, eat the symbols that we discuss. The Open Temple seder plate will be filled with local symbols to feast upon, with some foods sourced from surprising locations.

The Open Temple Exodus Seder Crawl puts The Quest back into The Four Questions. Filled with fun, spiritually nourishing, as well as corporeally nourishing moments (dinner will be served at an enchanting al fresco location) the seder innovates upon what is, perhaps, Judaism’s greatest innovation with a Venice wine-spritzer twist.

The Seder Crawl begins at Open Temple House (1422 Electric Ave., Venice) at 4 p.m. on March 31 and runs through the sunset. Tickets available on Eventbrite by searching for “Open Temple Venice Beach”.

Yom Kippur at Open Temple in Venice.
Photo: Kelly Fogel.

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbi Lori brings the Torah to Abbot Kinney.
Photo: Cheri Wallin.
Related Posts

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/fDDgcY6b3e For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū has expanded...

Mid-City Freeway Death Under Investigation After Caltrans Workers Find Blanket-Covered Body

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Woman Discovered on 10 Freeway Shoulder Identified; CHP Launches Probe Caltrans workers discovered a woman’s dead body around 9:00 a.m....

Community Support Saves Beloved West Hollywood Café from Closure

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Packed Tables and Emotional Messages Helped Keep the Doors Open Le Petit Four, the popular Sunset Boulevard café known for...

Egg Beaters Recalled Over Possible Chemical Contamination

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Massive Liquid Egg Recall Includes California Shipments Cargill Kitchen Solutions is recalling approximately 212,268 pounds of liquid egg products after...

Los Angeles County’s Measure A Raises Sales Tax On April 1, And It’s No Joke

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Malibu Will See Higher Increases Starting April 1, Los Angeles County residents will...

Robbery Boast on Instagram Helps Send Beverly Hills Heist Suspect to Prison

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Flashy Post, Federal Time: Smash-and-Grab Mastermind Sentenced Ladell Tharpe, 39, received an 84-month sentence from U.S. District Judge George H....

Culver City Rolls Out Hi-Lo Siren to Warn Residents During Emergencies

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Hi-Lo Warning System Activated: Culver City Adds New Evacuation Tool In an effort to strengthen emergency preparedness and public safety,...

Union Workers at UCLA to Strike April 1 Over Staffing Shortages, Labor Disputes

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Healthcare and Research Staff at UC to Strike, Alleging Unfair Labor Practices More than 20,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals...

School of Rock Students Shine in Winter Performance Despite Widespread Fires

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Summer Camp Registration Opens Now By Susan Payne Wildfire devastation wreaked havoc in areas of Los Angeles this January with...

Full House Creator’s Cielo Drive Estate Returns With Massive Price Drop

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Franklin’s Mansion, Once the Site of the Manson Tragedy, Back on Market Full House creator Jeff Franklin is returning to...

Santa Monica, Beverly Hills See Real Estate Shifts After L.A. Wildfires

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Beverly Hills and Brentwood Listings Triple in Wake of January Fires Home sales and listings have shifted dramatically across Westside...

Deputies Open Fire on Suspect in West Hollywood, Triggering Street Closures

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Suspect Shot by LASD in West Hollywood Domestic Violence Response Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday evening in...

West Hollywood Resident Returns, Vandalizes Property, 30 Minutes After Eviction

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

“Neighbor From Hell” Tried to Re-Enter His Apartment and Damaged Property Valentino Lopez, a 41 year old, male Hispanic, was...

New Deadline, More Access: LA County Debris Program Expands Scope, Extends Signup

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Officials Broaden Scope to Help More Residents, Encourage Early Submission Los Angeles County officials have announced that FEMA has agreed...