The U.S. Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) Jewish Chaplains Council, with the support of United Jewish Communities (UJC), has shipped out over 1,500 "Solo Seder Kits" so that Jewish military personnel can conduct their own "seder" or Festive Passover Meal wherever they may be stationed. Thousands more kits have also been shipped throughout the United States.
The US Solo Seder Kit is similar to its Israeli counterpart issued to front line soliders serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Each kit contains a Haggadah [a communal service manual that tells the story of Passover], a pamphlet describing the holiday's history and customs, kosher matzah, grape juice, gefilte fish, chicken soup with matzah balls and other kosher-for-Passover items. Cases of Passover food have been shipped to those GI's who wish to observe the holiday for its entire seven day period.
“This is a spiritual mission that is being undertaken for the men and women in the military, who are serving God and serving our country,” said Rabbi David Lapp, Director of the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council. “Even after Pesach, we will continue on with programs that show our unwavering support and express our tremendous gratitude for their bravery.”
“The kits are particularly critical for servicemen and women who are on the front lines in the Gulf, as they are constantly moving and therefore cannot attend a traditional seder meal,” said Rabbi Lapp. “The kits will allow them to observe Passover no matter where they are, and provide a meaningful connection to Judaism amidst the turmoil of war.”
According to the JWB, seven Jewish chaplains have been deployed to the Gulf to help distribute the Passover Solo Seder Kits to military personnel and to help meet their needs during the holiday. Military personnel not in combat zones will have the opportunity to attend a traditional communal seder organized by a chaplain.
Commanders of all faiths are invited to join and many non-Jewish personnel have in fact requested to participate in such communal events in the past. “If they don't have access to Passover food, in addition to not being with their families to celebrate, I figured it was our role to help them observe the best way they can,” said Jonathan Feldstein, campaign director for the Jewish Federation of Rockland County (NY) whose staff and volunteers assisted in the preparation of the kits. “Our soldiers should have a joyous holiday, despite fighting a war and being in the middle of the desert. This year there are thousands more, American, British and Australian Jews, who need our help to observe and celebrate Pesach far from home.”
Back in the United States, 28 Jewish chaplains are helping Jewish military personnel celebrate Passover. In locations where there is no Jewish chaplain, Jewish lay leaders were located, trained and certified by the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council to help the servicemen and women observe the holiday. "Jewish Community Centers near military bases will be inviting military personnel and their families, as well as the family members of the men and women who are overseas, to take part in a community festive Passover Seder meal and other holiday observances,” Rabbi Lapp added.