FRACKVILLE - Family and friends celebrated the first day of Passover together Monday at a home in Frackville.
Art Kaplan and Kristine Kelly-Kaplan hosted a Passover seder, a meal that has special significance for those of the Jewish faith.
"Tonight is the first night of Passover," he said of the reason for the seder, which he has hosted at his house since 1995.
Passover lasts eight days and ends Monday night, Kaplan said.
Twelve people sat at a long table to observe the occasion that recognizes the release of the slaves from bondage in Egypt.
"It really is important to tell the story. Although it happened thousands of years ago, today we still have people who are oppressed (in the world)," he said.
At times those attending read passages from a model seder.
"The real Haggadah is much thicker. This is like the abbreviated version," said Art Kaplan, 54.
Written in Hebrew and English, it covers many topics. It includes songs and tells of God's love for the Jewish people and the importance of the food served during the Passover seder.
Wine is also part of the observance, symbolizing the promises written about in the Bible.
Everyone dipped their knife into the wine at the mention of the 10 plagues: Blood, frogs, gnats, fly swarms, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the slaying of the first born.
Ava-Grace, 8, daughter of Art Kaplan and Kristine Kelly-Kaplan, also sat at the table during the seder.
"Everybody needs some matzoh," said Bonnie Yanuskiewicz, Art's sister.
Ava-Grace held up a matzoh, a square, unleavened bread. Pieces were given to those at the table.
An apple, matzoh balls, a hard-boiled egg, tzimmes, a combination of carrots and sweet potatoes, bitter herbs, and other food were part of the seder plate.
Each has special significance.
Holding up a hard boiled egg, Kaplan said, "a hard-boiled egg symbolized a round year and a fresh start."
The seder concluded at 7:15 p.m. with the Israeli National Anthem and the song "America."
Barbara Stanell, Frackville, said she might not have been able to participate in seder if she had not been invited by the Kaplans.
She goes to a synagogue in Hazleton but the traveling distance makes it difficult.
She said the chance to celebrate was like "a warm embrace."
Kathy Luciani, Frackville, said this is the first time she participated in a seder.
"It was very awesome. I enjoyed it a lot," she said. She is Catholic and attended with her husband, Leo.
"We really all need to be open to different religions and different experiences," she said.