The White House Seder

For the first time ever, President Barack Obama is hosting a Passover Seder at the White house. This Seder is going to be held, tomorrow, on the second night of Passover where his friends and staff will attend. The Seder is going to be held on the second night of the holy holiday so that it does not disrupt first night family Seders. “’Jews are a vital component in the mosaic that is American culture and society,’ he said. ‘Our welcome through the front door, and the dining room door, of the White House speaks to the inclusiveness of today's America and of President Obama. This night is indeed different from all other nights’” (jta.org). It is interesting to see Obama’s efforts in hosting this event. Previously, former President George W. Bush has hosted Hanukkah parties. It is more appropriate for these Presidents to host Hanukkah parties and Passover Seders because they are the more commercialized Jewish holidays. They would probably not be found hosting the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah because they are of the high holidays category. One may wonder if the White house kitchen is keeping kosher and keeping to the rules of the holiday for this night. If they do plan on following these rules, they must follow the rules of the kitniyot. The kitniyot says that food cannot contain corn syrup, corn products, rice, soy, gluten, and cannot leaven. I believe that the White house will try to the best of their ability to meet the standards of the kitniyot.