Thursday
Apr092009
White House Seder
Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 9:08 PM 
Photo credit: Pete Souza / White House T
his evening the Os hosted what is believed to be the first ever Passover Seder at the White House, held in the Old Family Dining Room. The dinner included traditional Passover dishes such as matzo ball soup, brisket and kugel. The Obamas were joined by friends, White House employees and their families. Read more at The Caucus blog. On a style note (though we can see just a sliver of her), Mrs. O wears her hair pulled into a loose chignon as she did earlier in the day, and a cream colored jacket.
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Reader Comments (63)
Have an awesome Holy Week~Thanks for sharing, Much love, Joanne C
Appreciate how the Obama's love to entertain with diverse family and friends...Our President and First Lady just appear to be very warm and loving people.
Happy Easter everyone!
I am glad to be alive during the era of Obama.
I can't see Mrs. O but Pres Obama looks so fine. *he is so qt*
Toi22,
Go to whitehouse.gov. The picture is there, and click on "high resolution". You can then see Michelle and the girls very clear and closer up. The girls look too cute. I like how they have the seating arrangements so that people are mixed together.
Toi22, Mrs. O is sitting next to Malia.
Just incidently, the painting on the wall is a John Singer Sargent. It's called "The Mosquito Net" and you can see the netting in the background of the painting. It dates from 1912, and was painted in France, and the woman in the painting is Polly Bernard, whose father, Frederick, was a fellow painter and friend of Sargent. It came from Sargent's personal collection.
Happy Holy Week and Happy Resurrection to all: My heart is so joyful. What an awesome time to be alive. This is just like the Obamas to open their hearts as well as their homes to celebrate a family tradition. I am so proud of them. It is so hard to believe that it was never done before. But this is the era of CHANGE and I am so thankful that God allowed me to see this.
I think that is great the Obamas are celebrating diverse cultures and being so welcoming. The Passover seder is part of the old testament, so when you think about it, it makes sense for Christians to learn about it, too.
Happy Pesach, everyone!
The high-res version is very nice, you can almost read the pamphlets they are holding. I think it was great to host a seder at the White House, and I have to admit it's nice to see the kiddos again - I know they need and deserve their privacy, but they're so darn cute.
Christina, those "pamphlets" are Haggadot (plural of Haggadah). They tell the story of our escape from Egypt, and are read every year at Pesach.
For those who don't know, Michelle's cousin, Funnye Capers, is a rabbi.
The interview with the editor in chief, Essence Magazine, is a very nice one. You can see it at: http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com
There are nice photos of Mrs. Obama's gardening as well.
Have a great Holy Week and a great Easter to all.
It's amazing to me ... simply leaves me aghast ... that the WH has never hosted a seder. Unbelievable.
Just some extra info...
There HAS been a seder in the White House before, but it was NOT hosted or attended by the president.
From Yahoo News:
The only other Seder in the White House was in 1993 for Clinton staffers, Daroff noted, but then-President Bill Clinton did not attend.
Comcast.net News:
White House aides say they believe this is the first president-hosted seder at the White House. President Bill Clinton's aides planned seders, but Clinton isn't known to have attended.
I absolutely Love this picture. It depicts the honoring of traditions, family, friends, inclusiveness, and spiritual celebration. This is America living up to its highest ideals. The President and First Lady are amazing people!
This is RAD! What a warm family gathering, what a great message of unity for our country.
That is lovely.
One of my best memories from college is of a seder hosted by a friend who was not able to go home to Georgia that weekend. She invited all of her dorm mates who would be in town to join her, and as best she could in a coal town in Virginia, found all the ingredients for the meal.
Lovely...
No reason to be shocked that there hasn't previously been a Seder attended by the president. The Seder is typically a private, family meal. (Perhaps someone Jewish can confirm. That's true for the Seders I've heard about or attended. Have never heard, for instance, of a Seder being held in a synagogue and, given the ritual embedded in the meal, it's hard to imagine it taking place in, say, a restaurant.)
Hence, since there've been no Jewish presidents to call the White House home, it's not surprising that there've been no Seders.
The Obamas are such wonderful parents to be exposing their daughters to other religions and cultures at a relatively young age. Speaking of exposing, that is some low-cut dress on the woman in black! Don't believe it's "appropriate for the occasion."
It seems the photos on the WhiteHouse.gov are high-res and many can be zoomed.
The youngest person at the Seder table asks a series of questions which are answered in the Haggadah. That must have been a nice experience for the young ones.
I wonder if the President and the First Lady are attending Easter Services. I have only heard of 1 attendance to Sunday services since they have been in DC.
JRG, I'm not Jewish, but my Presbyterian church celebrates Passover with a local synagogue every year. They host a seder which we attend... it's a wonderful interfaith ceremony and they do hold it at the synagogue. It was Tuesday of this week, so I don't know if that qualifies as a traditional seder or not.
I live in Washington State, and a Seder, to which the public is invited, is hosted every year by a local Jewish congregation. It is held at a synagogue.
This is wonderful!! I grew up in a very diverse neighborhood, and we attended Seders and Hannuka celebrations with our Jewish neighbors and they always visited on Christmas Eve to celebrate our Italian traditions. I am so thankful to have grown up appreciating others beliefs and traditions! It is so great to have a President and First Lady who are open to such great diversity. Many blessings to all!
MJMR,
Yes, the First Family is attending Easter services in D.C. this Sunday, but it will not be announced until they are there. They also said it doesn't mean that's the church that will be their permanent home. Obama friends, family, and aides have been privately going to most of the churches in D.C. to see which one they will settle on. They are looking for a church with Sunday school for the girls and an activism to help the poor. It has been hinted that the President prefers the African American tradition of worship but it isn't final where their choice will be. The length of time is due to the scrutiny during the primaries of their last church. Since then, pastors have been visiting the Obamas privately.
It's a shame, but no matter where they choose, there will be no peace...thanks to Fox news. But if there is a problem later, hopefully most Americans will overlook it, because the President said he misses attending church.
I am so proud of our First Family for their diversity and open mindiness about other faiths. Happy Easter to the First Family
...I got the church info. from a lengthy H. Post article early this week but can't find it now. Since the last time the family went to church after the inauguration, they've sent people quietly into various churches to check for security concerns, atmosphere, etc. as well. People like Valerie Jarrett, Desiree Rogers and others have been scouting for them too. They deny an extensive "vetting" process, but I know a lot of work is being done behind the scenes. No other President has had to deal with this..it's ridiculous. And that poor church is going to see media everywhere, a huge boom in attendance only b/c the Obamas are there, and can you imagine the parents scrambling to enroll their kids in Sunday school just to get close to the girls? Privacy isn't the same at church as it is at their private school.
Ronald Regan never attended a church while he was president do to security concerns. Yet, Clinton & Carter attended a local one nearby regularly. If remember right I don't think Nixon did either. Bush senior & Bush Jr. is the only recent Republicans I know that went to church on Sundays.
Personally, I could careless about what church they attend or not at all.
As a jewish man, I cannot express how moved I am by this simple, but generous gesture from the First Family.
@Christen
"Speaking of exposing, that is some low-cut dress on the woman in black! Don’t believe it’s “appropriate for the occasion.”
I checked and her necklace is an odd number of strands, so it's all good! LOL
my mom's church celebrates seder with a jewish congegation every, what a welcome relief to have an open white house.. yeah for the obama years
President Clinton and Mrs. Clinton attended different churches, because they are of different faiths -- he was raised a Southern Baptist, she is a Methodist. Chelsea divided her time between her parents' churches. President Reagan indeed attended church, but it was generally at Camp David, where there is a non-denominational chapel. It's very likely the Obamas have attended services there, as well. Also, President Bush 43 began a tradition of a menorah lighting and a reception for Jewish leaders during Hannukah.
I'm tickled that the Obamas held a seder, too, and the more diversity of thought and religion we can show to the world, the better.
@Christina,
This is a serious question. Does it mean something when you where an odd number of strands? I have 2 pearl necklaces, one with one strand and one with 2 strands. Sometimes I wear them together making 3 strands.
Seriously I am new to fashion. What does it mean if I wear and odd number.
Or am I not getting it (I can be slow)and you were just joking because she is showing so much cleavage.
thanks in advance
Would that be the First Grandma to the President's left? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
Again, Happy Easter and a Blessed Passover to all.
Wilma, I believe Christina was referring to a funny debate we had on another thread, where someone claimed pearls are "never" worn in even numbers. Apparently, it dates back to a family tradition of etiquette guru Judith Martin (Miss Manners).
However, there are many examples of two-stranded pearl necklaces in history. The most famous are the Queen Anne and Queen Caroline Pearl Necklaces worn by Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947. While they are actually two single strands, they are never to be worn apart. They have a fascinating history, which is easily found online.
Hope that helps.
@ cissy
I think that is Desirée Rogers, the White House Social Secretary :)
Not being Jewish I had never heard of a Seder..reading up on it has been quite enlighting!
Happy Easter everyone!
@ Chicagoan -
I have made an executive decision that I am neither restranding my 2-strand nor throwing them out! LOL Happy Holiday Everyone....
LOL Bevi... and, frankly, they're probably going to be all the rage now that Mrs. O has chosen a 2-strand. As the NYT noted, she's redefining what is appropriate and making her own contributions to fashion history. You're just ahead of the curve. (smile)
Have a great weekend!
Actually, even though seders are tradionally "family" type events, it's also tradition to invite others...non Jews are always welcome at seders, as it's the ultimate "teaching" moment, as well as a great meal. As a side note, the Passover seder is also considered a traditional time to announce engagements (at least, it's been that way in my family).
Absolutely Wonderful! Have a blessed Holy Week!!
The Passover Seder is a very Christian event simply put it explains the bondage of the Jews to the Egyptians. Then walks you through life changes and challenges and finally reveals the redemption of Jesus as our Passover.
I am elated, excited and delighted about our President and his family celebrating our Savior Jesus was King of the Jews and His resurrection even our redemption. I love the Obamas as they represent a vast array of thoughts and ideas, keep up the creativity. Just a note: I attended a messianic seder last night as well!
Have an awesome weekend!!!
The painting over the mantle is actually of First Lady Frances Cleveland.
A lovely room people don't see a lot. Laura added the new carpet.
pinkpillbox.com
Hey Mrs.T and everyone else,
The new comic book of Michelle obama is revealed in great detail and you get to see the inside pics also where to buy it. It looks great and looks a lot like Michelle! The clintons even asked for a copy. Here is a copy of the video on the comic book:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30154603#30154603
The Passover seder is a Jewish observance, and Judaism a beautiful and separate religion.
Speaking as a Christian, I was so moved to see the President celebrating a seder in the White House.
More is more.
Janelle,
I think you should not say that Fox News will not give the Obamas any peace about where they go to church. Fox News will be very happy to know that they are going to church, because actually, the last time they attended church was January 18, 2009.
I'd like to say that I think it is beautiful that the Obama Family hosted a Seder for their Jewish staff. I have never been to one because I was under the impression that it is a private family meal.
May all of you have a Blessed Easter.
As someone else intimated, making the Seder a "messianic Seder" would've been an egregious act of insensitivity. Passover is a very mixed time for Jews. While one of the most important holidays, and certainly the most important one to occur as a home holiday, it is also a time when "blood libel" ran rife (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_libel) -- the lie that Jews used the blood of Christian children to make the matzo -- the ritual unleavened bread that is eaten for the 8 days of Passover. This awful lie was used to start Pogroms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogroms) and other acts of violence against Jews. The last supper was a Pesach Seder. Along with the "using Christian baby blood to make matzo" lie, it was common to stir up hatred of Jews at Easter-time as it was easy to make the leap to "the Jews killed Christ." So you can see that turning a celebration of freedom and the establishment of the Jewish people in the "land of milk and honey" after the Exodus into a focus on Christianity is, to my mind, odd and disrespectful.
My understanding is that this was, indeed, a traditional Seder with a knowledgeable Jewish person leading it. Some of the impetus behind the Obamas hosting this Seder was, as someone else pointed out, a follow-up on a hastily pulled together Seder during the campaign last year. I was pleased that it was led by someone Jewish, and that the kitchen consulted traditional recopies of some of the attendees before preparing the meal.
I kind just imagine what a challenge finding the Afikomen would be having been hid in the White House!
Ah, silly me, I put links in my prior post. I just wanted to add that, as a Jew as well as just a human being, I love the fact that the Obamas did this.
I also just want to let Mrs. O know that she has even won over someone who is not at all interested in fashion with her blog -- maybe it's just my appreciation of Michelle, maybe it's my need, as a PhD student for distraction, but this site has become one of my favorite places to visit -- not only for the pictures, but the comments too.
Reposting w/o links:
As someone else intimated, making the Seder a “messianic Seder” would’ve been an egregious act of insensitivity. Passover is a very mixed time for Jews. While one of the most important holidays, and certainly the most important one to occur as a home holiday, it is also a time when “blood libel” ran rife — the lie that Jews used the blood of Christian children to make the matzo — the ritual unleavened bread that is eaten for the 8 days of Passover. This awful lie was used to start Pogroms and other acts of violence against Jews. The last supper was a Pesach Seder. Along with the “using Christian baby blood to make matzo” lie, it was common to stir up hatred of Jews at Easter-time as it was easy to make the leap to “the Jews killed Christ.” So you can see that turning a celebration of freedom and the establishment of the Jewish people in the “land of milk and honey” after the Exodus into a focus on Christianity is, to my mind, odd and disrespectful.
My understanding is that this was, indeed, a traditional Seder with a knowledgeable Jewish person leading it. Some of the impetus behind the Obamas hosting this Seder was, as someone else pointed out, a follow-up on a hastily pulled together Seder during the campaign last year. I was pleased that it was led by someone Jewish, and that the kitchen consulted traditional recopies of some of the attendees before preparing the meal.
I kind just imagine what a challenge finding the Afikomen would be having been hid in the White House!
Tootsie,
Actually we do not know when the last time the Obamas has gone to church because there is a church/chapel at Camp David and the Obamas have been to Camp David twice.
When President Reagan was president Camp David is where he attended church instead of in D.C. because of security reasons.
I don't think Fox News (or any news organization, really) cares if the Obamas have been going to church from day 1, or never go to church again. Commentators will say what they're going to say, regardless.
I have also noticed that some article around the web are saying that Obama has not gone to church since taking the oath of office... I believe that is incorrect because the President, First Lady, VP Biden, and Dr. Biden went to a church the morning after Inauguration Day. That is when Michelle worn that lovely print dress and she worn the same dress later in the day when she and the President held the Open House at the WH.
Looks like a Tuesday debut for the Obama's new six month old male pup!
Charlie is being re-homed and will be re-named too.
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/10/white-house-obama-family-dog/