I could title this post, searching for god, or some other phrase about a mystical path toward enlightenment. For me yesterdays seder in the Bistro Boquete was just a rush of memories. It was interesting to see a part of Boquete’s Jewish community, guests just curious about the function, and visitors from other countries gather for the Seder. I remember this meal from many occurrences at my Grandparents house in New York. Wine is so important in this event that my Grandfather made his own and I am sure it helped a very young me get through the long readings of the event. For me religion is an enigma, I blame it, and those who claim to speak for various gods, for more harm than good. I do not practice any religion, but there is tradition and there are roots.
Passover Boquete Panama
For those not steeped in the rituals of Judaism, Passover is a celebration of the Exodus from Egypt some 3,200 years ago. If you wonder why it occurs near Good Friday, it is because the Last Supper of Christ was likely an event related to Passover, Christ was Jewish. Wikipedia
Passover Matzoh
There are fifteen ceremonial steps in a Seder and if you are interested in the event, Wikipedia has a detailed article. Wikipedia
Craig can dance!
For me the entire event was a flood of memories and curiosity. Although I do not believe in any deity, I do wax and wane on my heritage. As Hitler and history have so clearly demonstrated, being Jewish and belief in god are not necessarily related.
Semana Santa Boquete Panama
The event was given it’s Boquete Panama touch by a Semana Santa Parade being held by the Catholic Church. The parade passed down the main street in front of the Bistro while we were reading a custom Boquete assembled Haggadah.
I want to thank Barbara, Mort, Craig, our two visiting Rabbis and the entire community for the experience. Mayra asked me to add that this was a unique experience for her and she enjoyed the people, the food, the grape juice. She only questions why I made her watch the Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston as Moses before we went.
Mazel tov!
Lee,
May the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob touch you.
A bit OT but: One of my distant relatives was the president of the Jewish American congress during WWII.
I found this very interesting as none of my closer relatives ever practiced Judaism but I am
disappointed that you dont feel any need to worship the God of our ancestors
I can testify to HIS existence else who, how, why so many miracles over the past 76 years of my life
that I CANNOT count them? Literally HUNDREDS. They range from an Angel grabbing and taking
me off of my motorcycle as it slid under a truck and saving my life to such a simple mundane thing
as guiding me to a small crucial spring for a carburetor repair that fell in the gravel under my car.
At any rate. L’chaim, Lee
Fred Wise
a Friend of Bjorn Sefeldt (in Maryland USA)
Lee I very often see that people forget that Jesus was Jewish.
Boquete, Christian Jewish convergence.
A reference to Boquete pioneer Mair Sitton may be in order.
Pioneer? For sure. See the bilingual Blue Book:
http://bdigital.binal.ac.pa/bdp/descarga.php?f=azul3_2.pdf
Jewish? We don’t have his words. But there’s a belief that he was born Jewish.
See La Estrella:
http://www.laestrella.com.pa/online/impreso/2011/06/05/los-sitton-y-la-herencia-q-ue-conmueve-a-chiriqui.asp
“Mair Sittón, un inmigrante israelí proveniente de la ciudad de Hebrón”
Also see “Boquete, Rasgos de su Historia”, “La Familia Sittón”. page 185.
That source refers to the family as “hebreo” and states that they moved to Argentina frpm Jerusalem and that Mair Sitton moved to Panamá from Argentina.
On the other hand, the family could just as easily have been Arab and Christian or Moslem.
http://www.sephardim.com says that Sitton is a Sephardic surname, but only gives one source to support that conclusion.
So maybe, maybe not.
Lee: Great post! Of all the many themes coming out of Passover and the the Exodus from Egypt is perhaps the greatest tribute to the fundamental human right of freedom–freedom of speech, freedom from slavery, freedom to worship (or not) the god of one’s choice, and freedom from tyrants, bullies and autocrats. It is good to be reminded of the Exodus year after year at this time, lest we forget what the human spirit is all about.
Thanks for sharing, Lee.
Passover seders were a more common occurrence in Boquete in years past. The Sittons surely held Passover seders; Aisic Sitton, now in his 80s, still keeps a kosher home up on the top of Jaramillo. (See http://www.chabad.org/blogs/blog_cdo/aid/1586427/jewish/The-Man-on-the-Mountain.htm) But with intermarriage and the movement of younger generations to Panama City and beyond, the Jewish community of Boquete has dwindled. The Askenazi (Eastern European origin) and Sephardi (Spanish origin) Jewish family names of many of the local residents are evidence of the presence of Jewish families who once settled and lived in this area..
David used to have a synagogue, but there, too, the numbers have diminished with intermarriage and emigration of the younger generations.
Business opportunities , retirement relocation and tourism are bringing Jewish people from Israel, the US, Canada, Europe and other Central and South American communities back to Chiriqui.
It has been exciting to see the resurgence of interest in our Passover seders over the last few years. Our first Boquete seder in our living room had 17 guests. Last year’s seder was hosted by Tamar and Henry Spierer at their wonderful restaurant, Tammy’s. Over 30 people attended. The Spierers moved with their sons to Israel last year.
This year, Craig Jacobs of Ruinas and Bistro Boquete fame eagerly volunteered to host the seder at The Bistro. His goal was to fill the restaurant, and we did! Over 50 people attended, including families from Panama City; David; Cologne, Germany; and CIncinnati, Oh. We had Panamanians, ex pats, tourists and backpackers, a volunteer from the Comarca, Jews and non-Jews, interfaith couples .
This year, we were blessed to welcome two young Chabad rabbis who traveled from New York to help us enjoy a kosher seder. ( see more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/barbara_rabkin_design/sets/72157629762323245/ ) Thanks to Chabad – we enjoyed kosher brisket, matzo ball soup, shmura matzo, gfilte fish and Rashi wine. Thanks to Craig and his exceptional Bistro staff, the dinner was a delicious, beautiful and festive celebration.
That we are able to gather Jews together, even in Boquete, to fulfill the obligation of retelling the story of the Exodus and hear the children recite the 4 Questions in Hebrew – it never fails to fill me with wonder and awe and gratitude.
@Steven Mopsick: excellent summary of what the seder is all about. Hope you will join us next year, if not in Jerusalem, in Boquete?
We are coming to visit in September; a vacation from our restaurant in Sarasota, Florida. We are wondering how to get in touch with members of the Jewish community in Boquete as we would like to visit during our stay. Is there a Shabbos gathering of any type or any other community event that we could attend? A Shabbos dinner anywhere? Thanks.
And who says the guys don’t know how to have fun!!!
Gangnam Style
hi, i will be visiting boquete with my sons for passover,in 2 weeks and I am wondering if you can direct me to some information about a seder this year, thanks, joy