The Jewish Herald • Friday, March 22, 2013 45 S P IRI T S


Kathmandu page 46 News of the impromptu Seder swept


through Kathmandu. March is still be- fore the monsoons and the town was filled with travelers who had come to catch the end of the Himalayan trek- king season. Sunday morning, I sat in the guesthouse garden receiving a steady stream of people who want- ed to sign up. I returned to the restau- rant and asked the owner to move us to the main room. I told him to expect about 23 people and asked if he would let me cook the chicken soup and a few other traditional dishes in his kitchen. No problem. The cost per person would be $3. I declined his offer of free bread and butter. There was something magical in


the way things were falling into place. I even found a long-stemmed cup for Elijah with four Stars of David carved along the rim. I saw it in a souvenir shop and explained to the owner that I would like to rent it for one night. “Just take it and bring it back the


next day,” he said. “I’ll give you a deposit.” “No. Just take it.” Wine proved to be an insurmount-


able problem. The liquor stores in Kathmandu car-


ried rum, whiskey, brandy and beer, but no wine, let alone kosher wine. We went to the exclusive Yak and Yeti Ho- tel and found a bottle of French wine too expensive at $18. The barman di- rected us to a hole-in-the-wall shop on the other side of town where we found two bottles of California Cabernet Sau- vignon for $10 each. There was no rab- bi to consult if it was OK under such circumstances to make a Seder with


non-kosher wine. We reluctantly de- cided to make do. Monday morning, the day of the Sed-


er, Kathmandu was in the midst of one big, boisterous water fight. The Hindu holiday of Holi was in full swing, coin- ciding with Passover since we both fol- low a lunar calendar. Water balloons are thrown at passersby from rooftops, buckets of water from windows and bal- conies. Crowds of teenagers armed with water pistols prowl the streets spray- ing each other with colored water. I put on a raincoat, pulled the canvas top of the bicycle rickshaw over my head and headed to the Israeli Consulate. I had called ahead to tell them about


the burgeoning Seder and they prom- ised help. The consul’s wife gave me 10 Hagga-


dahs and several boxes of matzoh. She also graciously offered real horserad- ish from her garden and a bouquet of flowers. On the way back, I protected the matzoh from getting wet. By four the chicken soup was done,


the charoses paste of fruit and nuts was made and the tables were set. I rushed back to the guesthouse to shower and change. It was almost five by the time I was finished. We had told everyone to arrive at six. A knock on the door. Two young,


bearded travelers stood side-by-side. I wasn’t sure there would be any more room at the restaurant but it was un- thinkable to turn them away. “Wel- come,” I said and smiled. Now if this was a Yiddish folk tale


about Elijah the prophet who returns to earth in disguise, he would offer bless- ings and perform a miracle now that I graciously welcomed him to the Seder even thought there was no more room.


C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 2 6


Best Wishes For a Joyous Passover To Our Many Friends and Associates


Quality Care America


A JOYOUS PASSOVER TO ALL ACROSS AMERICA


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