Columnists

The West Coast premiere of Anupama Chandrasekhar’s comic-drama “Disconnect” is a jarring reminder of how and why we reach people on the other side of the world when we have a problem that needs answers. It's called BPO – Business Processing Outsourcing. Mostly 20- to 25-year-olds work the phones to try and solve your problem or – in this case – collect overdue bills. The pressure is harsh and the psychological trials are tortuous.

We’ve all heard the magic words that seem to get our adrenalin flowing a bit faster. Some examples: “THEY’RE OFF”; or, how about “GENTLEMEN. START YOUR ENGINES” (my apologies to Ms. Patrick); or the famous call to action on the food cook-off,  “CONTESTANTS, GRAB YOUR POTS;” and who could forget the announcement that the curling competition is about to start with a resounding; “GET OFF THE ICE, STUPID” – or something to that effect. Anyway, the most famous and recognizable announcement of all would have to be, “PLAY BALL.”

One reason Gov. Jerry Brown’s Proposition 30 tax increases passed so handily last fall was that many voters became convinced that if they didn’t say yes to the new levies, the sky would fall.          

The Mojave Desert never makes a good first impression. The sprawling basins and naked brown mountains, sparsely dotted with ragged Creosote bushes, offer little reason to linger. We prefer to pass on through in search of a more verdant setting. 

Have you ever thought about adopting a kitty? Kittens come to mind when someone decides to add a cat to their family. And sure, kittens are fun and cute, but they can also be a challenge. Kittens have lots and lots of energy that sometimes leads to destructive behavior. Most kittens need to be trained to use the litter box. And that cute little face? Someday it'll be just another adult cat.

With the arrival of spring, grocery store shelves begin to show an abundance of seasonal products. Spring fruits and vegetables appear in the produce section, while grilling displays are assembled in the meat section. However, it is the featured section of kosher foods for Passover that peaks my curiosity.

Created by Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink in 1988, this sometime outrageous, inventive show has developed into a grand franchise with excellent promotion throughout the world in smaller venues, television and concert type offerings. The original creators do not perform, instead seven Blue Men alternate in the three main roles with bald heads painted blue that give off a childish, alien innocence with their antics. It’s all backed up with some interesting special effects and very loud, almost metal rock original music that has the whole theatre vibrating for most of the performance.

Despite all commercial evidence to the contrary, Easter, not Christmas, is the most important holiday in Christianity. Since the Middle Ages, Christians have observed this important time with Passion plays, dramatic presentations of the final events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth: his trial and execution at the hands of the Roman authorities and his resurrection from the dead.

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.