In advance of the upcoming Passover holiday, Rabbi Avraham Kagan of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois led a “Taste of the Seder” program in the governor’s mansion in Springfield at the behest of Gov. Bruce Rauner and first lady Diana Rauner.

Gathered around 10 tables, local Jewish community members were joined in the state’s capital by Chabad rabbis, representatives of Jewish Federations from all across Illinois, political leaders and Jewish lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.

Each table led another stage of the multistep feast—reading, eating and explaining the Passover story in true Jewish tradition.

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Since all the kosher food required for the model seder was hard to come by in Springfield, the Chicago-based Tailgators caterer came with a truckload of crockery, silverware and a complete Passover dinner, right down to the brisket.

During the program, Kagan urged those present to reach out to the “fifth son”—the Jewish person who is so estranged from their heritage that he or she is not even at the seder table. He cited, as an example, the person he and his fellow Chabad rabbis just happened to meet at a rest stop that very morning on the way down from Chicago.

“He knew he was Jewish, but he had not had the opportunity to let his Jewish soul shine,” said the rabbi. “Today, he put on tefillin and received shmurah matzah to eat at the seder next week. We all encounter people like this every day, and we must do our utmost to reach out to them, sharing the seder’s joy with them.”

Reflecting on the evening, Rabbi Meir S. Moscowitz, head shaliach of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois, noted the importance of the event: “It’s a great day for Illinois. Passover celebrates our ancestors’ freedom from slavery. Thank G‑d we live in a society where we are free to practice our religion and celebrate our unique heritage in such a beautiful manner.”

For her part the first lady said, "The Governor and I were delighted and honored to host a model seder at the Executive Mansion this week. It was very meaningful for us to celebrate this very important holiday in our new home with representatives of the Jewish community throughout the state."

Rabbi Avraham Kagan presided over the model seder held at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield, Ill.
Rabbi Avraham Kagan presided over the model seder held at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield, Ill.
On his way from Chicago to Springfield, Rabbi Meir S. Moscowitz helps a Jewish person wrap tefillin.
On his way from Chicago to Springfield, Rabbi Meir S. Moscowitz helps a Jewish person wrap tefillin.