Today marks the beginning of Passover, one of the essential commemorations and celebrations of Judaism. This year the lunar-based festival begins during what Christians call Holy Week, and just before Maundy or Holy Thursday. This Christian service acknowledges what was likely a Passover/Pesach Seder for Jesus and his disciples, their last meal together.
I noticed an interesting article about the development of a new guide for celebrating Passover for families caring for a loved one with dementia. There are many important details to the preparation and fulfillment of Passover, so this guide is a respectful act of inclusion, it seems to me. It makes me wonder what Christians could do to make our celebrations such as Christmas and Holy Week/Easter more "user friendly" for those with dementia and Alzheimer's. Here are a few paragraphs from the piece in The Times of Israel:
Although Passover and the days leading up to it are filled with joy, they can also be anxiety-provoking — especially for those with dementia who do not have a clear grasp of time and space. The hubbub of intense cleaning, cooking, and other preparations cause a change in routine, which can be alarmingly confusing. People with dementia may also not be able to participate in the Passover seder as they once did.
“So we decided to make something very systematic. We collected all the questions that we received and wrote the guide taking into consideration halacha [Jewish law], medical knowledge, and humanity,” [Rabbi Yuval] Cherlow said.
The guide is divided into sections covering pre-holiday obligations and preparations, the seder night, and the weeklong holiday. Recommendations and suggestions are provided along with specific instructions about how the person with dementia can fulfill mitzvot (religious obligations).
Doesn't this make sense, given that Passover is a period of remembering? How meaningful to show respect to those whose memories may be failing. Happy Pesach to all the Jews of the world.
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