Attending synagogue for holiday religious services can sometimes be a challenge for members of the Jewish community stationed at U.S. military installations around Germany.
With just one military rabbi in Germany — stationed in the Kaiserslautern Military Community — large collective observances just aren’t possible.
And that’s no different with Passover, which starts Saturday at sundown.
But Jewish military families will still celebrate, said Rabbi Donald Levy, a U.S. Air Forces in Europe chaplain.
“In most religious communities, you gather in the house of worship for the big holidays. For Jews, you typically gather at home and do the Passover Seder,” said Levy, the KMC rabbi.
Unlike other, more synagogue-based Jewish holidays, such as Yom Kippur, Passover centers on the Seder — a family dinner filled with symbolism and ritual.
Passover is an eight-day holiday that celebrates the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The Seder happens on the first two days and includes special foods. During the banquets, the biblical account of the Israelites’ liberation from bondage is shared.
Levy, who holds weekly services at the Ramstein Southside Synagogue on Fridays at 7 p.m., said there are about 70 members of the congregation. Some of those members travel from nearby Army and Air Force bases in Baumholder and Spangdahlem to attend services.
However, for Jews stationed at far-flung bases, local lay leaders help families practice their faith and mark the holy days, according to the New York-based Jewish Welfare Board Chaplains Council. The organization, which is part of the Jewish Community Center system, functions as the endorsing body for Jewish military chaplains who serve in the armed forces.
Militarywide, there are about 73 lay leaders. As of December, there were six operating in Europe, the group reported.
Services at Camp Foster Chapel
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Eastern Orthodox Holy Week and Easter services are scheduled at the Orthodox Chapel in the Camp Foster Chapel complex beginning Tuesday, according to a Marine Corps release.
The following services are scheduled:
Holy Tuesday Orthodox of the Bridegroom, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.Holy Wednesday Holy Unction Service, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.Holy Thursday Readings of the Passion Gospels, 5:30 p.m. Thursday.Good Friday Vespers, Descent from the Cross service, 11:30 a.m. Friday.Lamentations, 5:30 p.m. Friday.Holy Saturday/Pascha Resurrection Service and Divine Liturgy, 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Fellowship will follow in the Chapel Annex.Pascha (Easter) Vespers is scheduled at 11 a.m. April 27.For more information, call DSN 645-7202.
Passover SederYokosuka’s Chapel of Hope will host a Passover Seder on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Camp Zama will be having a Passover Seder at the Zama Chapel Social Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. RSVP to Sharon Goodman at DSN 267-6190 (042-869-6190 from off base).
From staff reports
