On April 8th, 2009, the Jews of Cairo gathered for a Passover Seder, just as Jews were doing all across the globe. However, only at this seder was the story being told set in the same place as our seats- a somewhat surreal feeling. I was both nervous and excited for the seder because it was my first Jewish event with the Cairo community and a very important holiday to me.

The seder was held in a back room of the Adley Synagogue, organized by Mrs. Weinstein and her staff. In addition to about 100 Jews of Egyptian and American backgrounds, the American Ambassador to Egypt was in attendance, and the seder was led by a Rabbi from Israel. The seder was conducted mostly in English because most of the Egyptian (and probably American) Jews do not read or understand Hebrew. It proceeded normally, even with the search for the afikoman, but without the singing and merriness/intoxication that I normally associate with Passover seders.

The most interesting thing I noted at the seder was the presense of a few women, with their children, muhagabaat, or wearing the Muslim head covering. I was sitting next to an American woman who has been living in Cairo for four years and is very familiar with the members of the Jewish community; she explained to me that these women, or their mothers, were Jewish, but they converted to Islam for their marraiges. They still attend the seder every year out of honor and respect for their mothers. Another reason, more cynical but perhaps just as true, was provided; apparently, Mrs. Weinstein calls all of the people on her “list” of Jews in Cairo, no matter their current religion, and implores them to attend the seder because if she can maintain high attendance at events, she can continue to petition money for the community from donors and the Joint Distribution Committee.

I spent my seder sitting amongst the lovely remaining Egyptian Jewish women of the community, and I enjoyed their spunk, liveliness and stories. I bonded with one woman because she also strictly observed the laws of Kashrut, and we took turns “stealing” the few items of Kosher-for-Passover food for one another.

All in all, it was a surreal, interesting and moving Passover seder, but I missed many of the traditions of home.