Columnists

With changes coming to Coverdell Education Savings Accounts in

The late columnist David Broder called Passover “the finest of all festivals of freedom.” The Biblical story in Exodus of Moses leading his people out of slavery in Egypt has inspired countless people throughout history to seek their own liberation from oppression. Jews observe the anniversary of this event with a special meal called a “seder.” The first day of Passover this year is March 26; since Jewish days begin at sunset, the seder takes place Monday evening. “The purpose of the seder is to tell the story of the Israelites,” said Rabbi Debbie Israel, spiritual leader of Congregation Emeth in Morgan Hill. “It is read from a book called the ‘Haggadah’ (which means ‘the telling’) and is designed to be an experience where participants not only hear the story but live the story, using sight, smells, tastes and sounds.” Because the seder takes place around the dinner table, foods that have deep symbolism are eaten. All participants share food on the seder plate, a large plate in the middle of the table. • Matzah - representing the simple food of slaves. When the Israelites left Egypt, they had to leave in a hurry and the bread had no time to rise. This flat cracker-like food is at the heart of the weeklong holiday, when Jews are not permitted to eat bread or other flour or grains (wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oats), called “chametz” (food made from leavened grain flour).   • Karpas - a vegetable, usually parsley or celery, that represents springtime. The karpas is dipped in salt water, symbolizing the tears of the slaves. • Maror - bitter herbs, horseradish, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery. • Charoset - a mixture usually made of apple, nuts, cinnamon and grape wine, symbolizing the bricks the slaves were forced to use in building the pyramids. • Zeroa - a roasted lamb or goat bone (some use a chicken bone), symbolizing the lamb offered in the temple sacrifice. Vegetarians use a beet, since zeroa is also a symbol of the lamb's blood that was placed on the homes of the Israelites during their last night in Egypt. Wine is also an essential part of the seder meal (though grape juice is permitted) because wine is a symbol of joy. Four cups (or sips from four cups) symbolize God's four promises to the Israelites, as spoken to Moses: "I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm ... I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God." (Exodus 6:6-7) Some families also serve hard-boiled eggs, again symbolizing springtime and the circular nature of life, also representing the festival sacrifice at the holy temple in ancient times. In addition to reading from the Haggadah and eating the symbolic foods, at the halfway point of the seder a delicious dinner is served, including traditional “Jewish” foods such as matza ball soup. As a special service to those who are affiliated with South Valley's Congregation Emeth, the temple is offering a seder matching program. Members who are having a seder are matched with congregants who are looking to participate in a one. Also, Rabbi Israel has offered to teach members who have never led a seder before, guiding them through the rituals of the evening, so that all members have the opportunity to experience this festival of freedom. For more information, call (408) 778-8200 or visit www.Emeth.net.

Christians have a long history of sharp disagreements about

Circus Vargas IS circus. If you want to get the feel and flavor

As all readers know, the world has been full of challenges the

I have been getting dizzy trying to come up with adjectives

I’m always walking around our downtown and poking my head into businesses, and am usually met with a smile, update on how things are going and maybe a question or two about what’s going on with something downtown.This routine includes my walking up and down Monterey Road as I have done for years now.That practice now has me facing one of the old lines I always battle, the classic, “That’s the way I’ve always done it.” I have been known to frequently respond to that comment with, “Then you’ve always been doing it wrong.” This has endeared me to many.At this point I have to admit that maybe I’ve been doing it wrong myself, at least recently. I haven’t been walking up and down our side streets and Depot Street as regularly as I should have—and that’s been all wrong.I recently had a conversation with Miriam of La Nina Perdida which is on Main Avenue right off of Monterey Road. This location is technically in the downtown but she stated she doesn’t really feel like a part of the downtown.This is a shame because La Nina Perdida is in the downtown, and quite frankly her restaurant is poised to contribute heavily to Morgan Hill’s reputation as a regional dining destination.La Nina Perdida was named as one of the Bay Area’s Top 10 best Mexican restaurants. It said so right in the June 17 edition of the San Jose Mercury News with other top restaurants ranging from San Francisco to Oakland to Los Gatos. Nice company and a well earned distinction!Head to the west on Main Avenue and you’ll find other favorites in Chinese and Italian cuisines across Monterey Road.I’m now spending more time on Main Avenue but also paying more attention to Depot Street.The north end of Depot Street has had a dining destination since The Granary was built. First we had Mangia La Pizza and then a Michelin Star Chef brought us Odeum in that location.There was also space for something else—not just physical space but room in our appetite for something a little different.When I first heard about Running Shop and Hops, I wasn’t convinced it would work but wished them luck.  I had been hearing about how runners and bicyclists love a beer after their activity, but would it really work in Morgan Hill? The short answer is a resounding YES! I don’t know how many shoes they sell, but I can tell you that this is one of the most consistently busy businesses downtown—yes, they are downtown.This mom and pop shop is run in a way that is dedicated to the local scene. Only the finest craft brews are served and the more local the better. They even promote bringing in food from local restaurants.There is more to the downtown than just Monterey Road so be a little adventurous and see what else the downtown holds.John McKay is president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, a city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance. He can be contacted at [email protected].

“What would you think,” I remarked to my spouse the other day, apropos of nothing, “about us becoming vegetarians?”