Photo By Staff Sgt. Miles Elder | Jewish Soldiers enjoy a Passover Seder, a traditional meal marking the holiday. Shown...... read more read more
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TIKRIT, Iraq - Jews from throughout the community at Contingency Operating Base Speicher gathered to celebrate one of their faith's most holy moments while enjoying a few moments of rare fellowship between fellow believers.
Soldiers and civilians spent an evening marking the sixth night of Passover and enjoying a kosher meal together. Passover is a week-long commemoration when Jews recall the deliverance of ancient Hebrews from captivity in Egypt. The account, detailed in the Old Testament book of Exodus, said 10 plagues were unleashed on the Egyptians until the Jews were allowed to return to Israel.
"We live that event every year," said Chaplain (Capt.) Marvin Schwab, an Orthodox rabbi. "We actually live that experience with the Seder."
The Seder is a meal that is partaken in a specific order which Jews eat during Passover. It features Matza, a unleavened, cracker-like bread modeled after what the Jews ate prior to fleeing Egypt in the middle of the night to begin their journey to Israel.
"They left in haste, which is why we actually eat Matza," Schwab said. "Their bread did not have time to raise and make regular bread since they left in a big hurry."
Schwab, who is based in Germany and serves with the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, hails from Louisville, Ky. He said Passover brings many Jews together whether or not they practice their faith much during the rest of the year.
"Out of all the Jewish holidays, they say Passover is celebrated by 90 percent of Jews in one way or another," Schwab said. "Many believe that we became a people when we left Egypt."
Among those taking part in the Seder were Sgt. Julia Ziskis. She is an Army Reserve Soldier from Chicago who serves with 310th Psychological Operations Company.
"It's very nice to celebrate a Jewish holiday," Ziskis said. "It takes me back to my childhood and happier days and makes me feel more connected to home.
"Plus, my mother made me promise to go to every Jewish service I could so here I am."
Others were drawn more by their curiosity. Chief Warrant Officer James E. Mackler, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot with Company B, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, came with another member of his unit.
"I was just curious what a Seder would be like here in Iraq," Mackler said. "Being away from home, it's a chance to see something that is a reminder of being back home."
Mackler likened the event to a Thanksgiving dinner. He said it was always a family time for him growing up.
"It's a chance to get together with family," Mackler said.
Opinions differed on whether their current setting added to the Passover experience. Mackler and Ziskis said being in Iraq had little bearing on their personal observance of Passover while Schwab said many of his fellow Jews did see an added significance.
"This is close to where the original happened," Schwab said. "Some people expressed to me that being here gives them a heightened sense or awareness of being Jewish."
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2006 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 6130 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 10 |
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