Passover, Holy Week Begin

From Pinecrest to Homestead in South Miami-Dade and Tavernier in the Upper Keys, Jewish families will come together on Monday evening, April 14th for the Passover (Pesach) 1st Seder Dinner. Concluding on Tuesday, April 22nd, Passover commemorates a defining time in the global Jewish community’s history.

As the Biblical Book of Deuteronomy mentions in its 26th Chapter “And God took us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm and with great awe and signs and wonders” during Passover Jews remember their ancient ancestors’ Exodus from Egypt. South Florida Jewish residents can see the quote this month in the Jewish funeral services company Dignity Memorial’s wall calendar for April 2014 (the month of Nisan in the Jewish Calendar).

Along with the Books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, the Book of Deuteronomy recounts the beginnings of Jewish civilization. Known in the Christian tradition as books of the Old Testament, the ancient Jewish writings (collectively referred to as the Five Books of Moses) also serve as part of Christianity’s foundation. Jesus of Nazareth was raised in the Jewish faith.

As written in the Gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, his Last Supper meal takes place during Passover. It is understood that therefore the foods that he and his apostles ate that evening would have been the same that other Jewish persons and their families were eating in their homes.

Perhaps best known in popular global culture for its depiction in Director Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 classic film Ten Commandments starting Charlton Heston, according to interviewees for this article, Passover remains a unifying holiday for the Jewish people.

Per his family’s tradition on April 14th Cutler Bay Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin will host the 1st Seder Dinner at home. In an interview held on an early April evening, he explained that what he loves about Jewish holidays, Passover in particular “is that they bring the entire family together. In our family at the beginning of the Seder, the presiding family member puts aside a piece of matzo bread to use for desert. The children usually hide it and get a reward when he doesn’t find it – it’s a little extra money for the children.” While he doesn’t consider himself a religious person, Sochin finds that in Passover, a global universality that all Jews share throughout Earth.

In an interview held following an evening service on April 4th, in discussing Passover, Chabad of Homestead and Cutler Bay Rabbi Yossi Wolff stated, “God taking us out of Egypt is the birth of the people of Israel as a nation with the goal of the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) being used as a tool, foundation to perfect the World.”

During the 1st Seder Dinner, it is tradition that Jewish children ask “Why is this night so special?” As Rabbi Wolff explained, it is “to have continuity it is through the children and that’s why specifically the children ask the question.”

South Dade resident Cliff Kraus who attends Rabbi Wolff’s services, in speaking about Passover expressed, “We have to celebrate that we (Jews) still exist and the rebirth of the State of Israel (prior to the Israeli nation’s founding in the mid-20th Century C.E., there had not an independently governed Jewish nation for 2,000 years).

With Mr. Kraus agreeing, Rabbi Wolff added that Moses receiving of the Ten Commandments following the ancient Jews’ flight from Egypt is Passover’s culmination.

Information about the service schedules in South Dade and the Upper Keys can be found at the following Jewish house of worship websites or by calling them: Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest (5950 North Kendall Drive http://www.tbam.org Phone: 305-662-8619), Temple Young Israel of Kendall in Pinecrest (7880 S.W. 112th Street http://www.youngisraelofkendall.com Phone: 305-232-6833) Bet Shira Congregation in Pinecrest (7500 S.W. 120th Street http://www.betshira.org Phone: 305-238-2601), Chabad of Palmetto Bay (16721 S.W. 78th Court http://www.jewishpalmettobay.org Phone: 786-282-0413), Chabad of Homestead and Cutler Bay (20557 Old Cutler Road, Old Cutler Towne Center, Cutler Bay http://www.chabadhomebay.com Phone: 305-975-6680), Temple Hatikvah Jewish Community Center in Homestead (183 N.E. 8th Street/Campbell Drive/S.W. 312th Street, http://www.thhjc.org Phone: 305-248-5724), Keys Jewish Community Center in Tavernier (Mile Marker 93 Oceanside, U.S. Highway 1 Overseas Highway http://www.keysjewishcenter.org Phone: 305-852-5235).

WALK THE CROSS

The Eighth Annual Homestead “Walk the Cross” will begin Good Friday, May 18 at 11:45 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 145 NE 10th Street. Ample parking is available. The distance of the walk is five blocks. Seven Stations of the Cross will enacted along the processional which will proceed to First United Methodist Church of Homestead at 622 N. Krome where a short outdoor service will follow. Those who are unable to walk the five blocks are invited to proceed to First UMC and await the walkers.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth was crucified on Good Friday at Golgatha, the place of the skull. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads and saying, Ah thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

All are welcome. Come and join your fellow believers as we remember this day on our way to Easter. For more information call Bob Jensen at 305-248-0976.

PRAYER BREAKFAST

The 39th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Homestead/South Dade will be held at 7 a.m. on Good Friday, April 18th, at the Harris Field Pavilion in Homestead. The pavilion is located on South Dixie Highway at Campbell Drive (SW 312 Street).

This year, the keynote speaker for the event is J.D. Patterson, Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

The soloist for the event is tenor, Dale Kitchell. Dale graduated with Highest Honors from Miami’s New World School of the Arts.

The South Dade Community Choir, consisting of members of all denominations and under the direction of Sandy Keffer, will also be performing at this year’s Prayer Breakfast. Breakfast will be prepared by the Homestead Woman’s Club.

The prayer breakfast is a non-profit event. Tickets are $10. Pre-sale tickets are available from Kiwanis members, The Living Way Bible Book Store at 890 N. Krome Avenue, 1st National Bank, Community Bank and at John P. Maas, Attorney at Law.

EASTER SCHEDULES

The four United Methodist Churches of Homestead, Florida City and Redland have set Easter worship services and activities with the needs of many in mind. All are welcome and encouraged to attend any of these varied services and activities.

Services at the United Methodist Churches in South Miami-Dade County will be as follows:

Palm Sunday: April 13th

Redland Community UMC – 9:00 a.m.

First UMC of Homestead - 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Silver Palm UMC - 10:30 a.m. (Easter Cantata “Lamb of God”)

Branches UMC, Florida City – 11:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday: The April 17 service is in recognition of Jesus’ Last Supper with the twelve disciples.

Branches UMC Florida City – 7:00 p.m.

First UMC of Homestead – 6:30 p.m.

Redland Community UMC - light supper at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Communion Service at 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday: April 20th

Silver Palm UMC - 6:30 a.m. combined Sunrise Service; 10:30 a.m. worship service

First UMC of Homestead - 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service; 9:30 a.m. Worship Service

Redland Community UMC - 9:00 a.m. Worship service

Branches UMC – 11 a.m. worship service preceded at 10:00 am by an Easter Egg Hunt.

City Church: located at 1700 N. Krome Ave. will hold services at 10 a.m. on both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. An Easter Brunch will follow the service on April 20th.

St. John’s Episcopal Church: English Services at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.; Spanish Service 12 noon both April 13th and April 20th

Sacred Heart Catholic Church: Palm Sunday – April 12th - 5 p.m. (English); 6:30 p.m. (Spanish). April 13th – 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. (English); 1 p.m. (Spanish); 6:30 p.m. (Creole). Easter Vigil – April 19th – 8 p.m. Easter Sunday – April 20th – 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. (English); 1 p.m. (Spanish); 6:30 p.m. (Creole).

Lifepoint Church of Homestead: Easter Sunday – April 20th – 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and Noon.

Speedway Community Church: Easter Service at 10 a.m.

Christ Fellowship Redland: April 19th - 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m.; April 20th - 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

Faith Church of the Redland: Easter Service at 10 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Homestead: Good Friday at 7 p.m.; April 20th – Sunrise Service 6:30 a.m.; Worship Service 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Victory Baptist Church: Easter Sunday Services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Fusion Miami Church: Easter Sunday service at 11 a.m.

Church of Christ: Easter Sunday Services at 10 a.m. (English) and 11 a.m. (Spanish)

Gateway Church of Christ: Easter Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church: Easter Sunday worship service at 9 a.m.

Holy Rosary/St. Richards Church: Palm Sunday – April 13th – 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (English); 12:30 p.m. (Spanish). Holy Thursday – April 17th – 6:30 p.m. Good Friday – April 18th – 7 p.m. (bi-lingual). Easter Vigil – April 19th – 8 p.m. (bi-lingual). Sunrise service at Deering Estate 7 a.m. Easter service 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (English); 12:30 p.m. (Spanish).

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church: Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services at 9 a.m. (English) and 10:30 a.m. (Spanish)

Key Largo Baptist Church: Easter Sunday service at 8:45 a.m.

St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church: Palm and Easter Sunday services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Key Largo: Easter Sunday service at 9 a.m.

Harry Harris County Park: Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at MM 92.5.

EASTER EGG HUNTS

City of Homestead: The City Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Harris Field (corner of Campbell Dr. & US1) on April 11th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. This event is always a hit so get your tickets early for a night of live music, food and a special appearance by the legendary Easter Bunny. For more information, please call 305-224-4580.

Pinecrest Gardens: The annual Eggstravaganza will take place April 12th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day will be filled with “eggciting” activities for the entire family including egg hunts, face painting, balloon art, interactive games, music, arts and crafts, petting zoo, and more.

City of Florida City: A nighttime Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Loren Roberts Park on April 18th beginning at 6 p.m. Children and adults will have a chance to hunt for eggs, enjoy games and see the Easter Bunny.

Cutler Bay: Children 9 and under can hunt for Easter Eggs at Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200 Street, on April 19th at 10 a.m. Prizes will be given for special eggs found. The first 100 children will receive a free framed photo with the Easter Bunny.

Underwater Hunt: Staged in the warm, clear waters off Islamorada, the annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt is open to divers and snorkelers visiting the Florida Keys who want to become deep-sea “egg-splorers” while supporting a Keys charity. The unique event’s host, Captain Spencer Slate, recently renamed his popular Atlantis Dive Center “Captain Slate’s Scuba Adventures” and relocated to mile marker 90.7 oceanside Divers and snorkelers are asked to check in at 8 a.m. at Captain Slate’s Scuba Adventures. Up to three boats are scheduled to depart at 8:30 a.m. Participants must pre-register for the event.

American Legion Post 333: Children in three age groups (0-3, 4-7, 8-12) will hunt for eggs at the American Legion Post 333, located at 2 Seagate Blvd. Every child will win a prize and three bikes will be awarded. The hunt will be on April 20th from 12 to 2 p.m.