We decide on an early start, 4:30. This way we can accommodate my niece Sally who lives in Barcelona. Aside from Sally and my nephew Michael who lives in LA, the rest of us live on the east coast — either New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts. There will be two new baby additions in the coming months, but for today, our Passover will include 25 people, four generations.
Everyone — with the possible exception of the oldest and youngest among us — has had some experience with Zoom. My mom, at 91, and Rita, at 96, are good with their phones and iPads, but not entirely proficient in apps other than email. So my nephew Jack comes to their rescue. He gives them each a private tutorial before we meet, and they prove to be very good students.
I click on at exactly 4:30, and am not the first person joining. My mom, who is always early, makes no exception for a Zoom Passover. Soon others join in, and before long, we are all visibly present, ala The Brady Bunch.
The first 15 minutes are spent directing: we can't see your face, move your finger, your audio isn't on; etc. But soon we are all talking as if no one else is in the room. At one point, Michael says, "Are we just going to say random things at random times, or is someone going to lead?" His astute comment is ignored, and everyone just keeps talking whenever. If it were any different, it would not feel like family.
Henry, the youngest at 5 1/2 months, is the only male wearing a yarmulke. We are not a terribly religious group, but we always celebrate the holidays together.
Whether on a child's electronic device...
a computer,
or an ipad, getting together this year is exceptionally meaningful.
Next year in Jerusalem? Maybe not. But next year at Val and Abbey's? That would be just fine.
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