This article struck a Passover nerve. NorthJersey.com readers respond with Seder memories

I'm not the only one with fond memories of Passover Seders of days goneby.

After my article about how much I miss my parents Seder — the real-deal, multi-course, hours-long, read-in Hebrew Hagaddah Seder — was published in The Record and NorthJersey.com, a number of readers sent me emails in which they shared their heartfelt memories.

I asked them if I can share them with you. Here they are.

Chag Sameach.

'Three-ring circus'

Just read your Passover piece. Brought back wonderful memories of Seders past with my dad reading in Hebrew and each of us reading a passage in English. My mom at the other end standing over her huge pot of knadels and soup doling it out generously. I had the honor of sitting next to my beloved nana who would scowl at us grandchildren if we got too giddy. These days our Seder takes place whenever everyone’s schedules mesh, with my Irish husband, our sons, Black daughter-in-law, our bi-racial precious grandkids (all vegan), and often a non-Jewish friend or two. A great 3-ring circus. And this year I’m laid up with a broken leg (had surgery today), my older son is getting over Covid, and other son with family will be in Costa Rica over

spring break. But we WILL have a Seder in May or June, get out the silver polish and look for a bottle of Manischewitz. Many thanks for stirring the memories. — Susan McTigue

Bouncing matzo balls

I loved your essay on the Seder in yesterday’s Record. It evoked so many memories of similar Seders, my late mother’s matzoh balls (my father liked them hard enough to bounce) and sponge cake, and my late father reading much of the Hebrew from the well-worn and wine stained Maxwell House Haggadah, and, of course, lots of singing. — Bruce Block, Englewood

Laughter, drinking, singing and food: I miss my parents' Seder

Staying up late

I too remember my paternal grandfather's and my father's all-Hebrew Sederim, my aunt's Weinsaucetorte and my maternal grandmother's Nusstorte. This First Seder I'll be with my religious college friend's family until after 1 AM, and second with my Hillel Housemate (now my dentist)'s extended family, including his Yeke-descended wife, so at least I get a few specialties and hear the melodies. — R Mayer

I can't stop buying Haggadahs: Here's why I'm obsessed with collecting them for my Seders

Feeling kinship

I hope it's okay to call you Esther. I feel very close to you this morning. My seder experiences follow yours in many ways. Thank you so much for sharing this. — Fondly, Sue Strauss

'Less than five hours?'

Esther, thank you for sharing your beautiful story. My parents were also Holocaust survivors, and this will the fourth Seder without them. They are very missed but the stories about them at dinner, and using my mom’s special holiday candle sticks, Seder plate, and matzoh cover keeps them at the table with us. Wishes for a happy Passover and a less than 5 hour Seder — Best wishes, Scott Garberman

When you eat Manischewitz matzo: Think of me — I live in their apartment

'Our own memories'

Thank you for bringing back such wonderful memories for me. I too speak fluent Yiddish and am a child of Holocaust survivors. Those were special times. Now we adjust, and make our own memories. Enjoy the chag! Ah dank! — Bonnie Leff

Sharing traditions

Just wanted to drop you a note to say how much I appreciated this article. Although I am not Jewish, I have attended a number of Seders with wonderful family friends. I always felt so honored to be part of such a beautiful tradition. Thank you so much for sharing your family memories. May you have a warm and loving holiday with family and friends. May your sweet memories of past Seders bring you comfort. — Helene Fall

'We'd get silly from too much wine'

It seems that your parents' Seder was very similar to my parents' and I miss my parents greatly, especially this time of year. I have memories of my father going through the house with a feather and a candle, scooping up bread crumbs. The bread would then be burnt on the curb of the sidewalk in Brooklyn. My older sisters would tease me that the level of wine was going down in Elijah's cup. That he was there in our house and I just couldn't see him. We would get silly from too much wine and laugh ourselves to the floor. My father of course would berate us for doing this. He was a very kind person and rarely showed us anger. Yes, we always finished the Seder. We now have a traditional Seder up to a point. Somehow, we never seem to be able to continue the Seder after a meal. Family gathers and we have a good time together. We are grateful that we can gather together in peace, health and happiness. Thank you for your article. -- Nancy Jankner

Esther Davidowitz is the food editor for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email: davidowitz@northjersey.com

Twitter: @estherdavido

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Passover Seder: NorthJersey.com readers share memories