A Gaskells Passover?

topic posted Thu, March 20, 2008 - 2:23 PM by  offlineJames
I haven't been to Gaskells in awhile but I'm planning on April 19. That is also the first night of Passover. I know there are other Hebes here -- any interest in a Victorian seder somewhere (at the venue?) beforehand?
posted by:
James
SF Bay Area
  • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

    Sun, March 23, 2008 - 6:42 PM
    oops. Guess I'm not going to this Gaskells either. By the way, James--it's spelled "Heebs."
    • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

      Sun, March 23, 2008 - 7:14 PM
      'Heebs"?

      Since when? I'm sure I'm one of the oldest people on this tribe, and a New York Jew, and I've never seen that spelling before.And I've seen "Hebe" as far back as I can remember.
      • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

        Sun, March 23, 2008 - 8:12 PM
        You gotta love internet discussions. Two responses in and this has already turned completely away from it's original intent. Poor guy probably won't get any responses to his actual question. A new record I suppose.

        Is that what you'd suppose, a new record? (See, now we can talk about R&G are Dead.... and Tim Roth... and Gary Aldman! - Oh look! I spelled that wrong! Someone point out that I spelled that wrong.)
  • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

    Mon, March 24, 2008 - 9:55 AM
    Yay! im not alone. i would definitely be interested in trying to put together a seder of sorts. im still not 100% sure if i will be able to attend, but i am planning on it and doing everything in my power to make it happen. (what would a victorian seder look like?)
    • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

      Mon, March 24, 2008 - 5:08 PM
      A very crowded table and British-affected readings of the Haggadah. Maybe a shottische around the table and the Afikoman waltz at the end.
      • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

        Thu, March 27, 2008 - 8:48 PM
        A seder always draws on current issues of freedom and exile. Were there a lot of British Jews at the time? Were they at all oppressed, or just a bit isolated? Modern Zionism really exploded toward the end of the century, so there would probably be serious talk about the idea of a Jewish state. And yet Britain didn't have control of the land at that time. A period seder could be a really interesting way to get into the heads of Jews from different times and eras. Cool idea, James, sorry I can't be there.

        You can polka to "Dayenu." And lemon curd is kosher for Passover, but I don't know what you'd put it on.
        • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

          Fri, March 28, 2008 - 9:53 AM
          I believe that British Jews were at the forefront of the Zionist movement. While an enlightened country, England's upper crust never really did accept Jews into their society. Well, maybe next year we can polka to Dayenu. Unfortunately, this still leaves me in a quandary.
        • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

          Sat, March 29, 2008 - 12:24 AM
          one of Victoria's favourite Prime Ministers, Benjamin Disraeli, converted to the Anglican church at age 13, but members of his own party (conservative) still considered him a Jew and his enemies called him a foreigner even though he was a fourth generation subject of the crown.

          He was the first and last "Jewish" PM. If Tony Blair have converted to Roman Catholic a few months earller, he would have been the first and only Catholic PM, so there is a religious group with a worse political track track record in the UK than the Jews.
        • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

          Thu, April 17, 2008 - 4:22 PM
          Interesting idea! I know that in the 1880's, the same pogroms in Russia that lead to the massive emigration of Jews to the U.S. also caused tens (hundreds?) of thousands of Jews to resettle in England, where they encountered a similar mix of new opportunities, antisemitism, and poverty. There's exile for ya.

          If there are to be semi-irreverent seder activities at intermissions, do find me. :) I'll be in floofy pink (if I end up going). Mmm...lemon curd on matzo...
          • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

            Sun, April 20, 2008 - 12:47 PM
            A very fine Gaskovers it was, esp. that little Jewish cabal out on the steps, but shhhhh, don't divulge the details because Pharoah has spies here.
      • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

        Fri, March 28, 2008 - 1:13 PM
        well it looks like ill be able to go seeing as how my senior ball which was supposed to be on the same day was canceled. so how many people really would be interested in a seder?
        • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

          Fri, March 28, 2008 - 1:55 PM
          Looks like just you and me at this point. Ehhh, we can do a quick reading and munch on gefilte fish. Well, ok, it doesn't munch.... Actually, what would be fun would be to break the seder up and do it during intermission periods. Granted it's a bit blasphemous, but Jews are nothing if not practical.
          • Re: A Gaskells Passover?

            Fri, March 28, 2008 - 5:36 PM
            i agree with you completely. though my father might be joining us. im trying to convince him to go we haven't done a "father daughter" event for over a year. he doesn't dance... yet. muahaha! im ok now. anyway i think the idea of breaking it up over intermissions is a great idea