Of Passovers Past

Grandma Stella fondly recalls the cherished traditions and family gatherings that marked the end of Passover in her youth, filled with special meals and heartfelt wishes. She shares memories of eating bread, cheese, and yogurt in the garden with loved ones.

On Passover day, the men returned to work. On the last day of the holiday, if it was a weekday, the ladies and their children would gather in the afternoon in one of the homes of their close friends or relatives. It was the end of Passover. The men would come home early from work. We could now eat bread, cheese, and yogurt. I fondly remember gathering in either my parents’ home or my Aunty Simha and Uncle Philip’s home. We would sit in the garden. The meal would be dairy. It would consist of bread, feta cheese, dishes of yogurt and spinach and mint, yogurt with strawberries, omelets laced with date syrup or herbs, clotted cream drizzled with more date syrup, salads, and stalks of parsley to hit each other with as we merrily laughed and wished each other, “Santek khethra! Santek khethra!” “May your year be healthy, happy, and prosperous!”

I smile to myself as I fondly remember the cherished days of the Passover that used to be. I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy Passover and a Santek Khethra!

Chag Sameyah! May your year be healthy, prosperous, and green!