FROM THE ARCHIVES: THE HORROR

Guantanamo, Cuba Celebrates Passover (Chaplines, JWB, Summer 2005)

When the U. S. Navy requested a rabbi to lead Passover Seders at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council Director Rabbi David Lapp answered the call. All the active-duty Jewish Navy chaplains were already detailed for Passover, so "I said I would go," said Rabbi Lapp. As soon as he arrived on the Tuesday night before Passover, he began to prepare for the Seders. He picked up the JWB provisions, got kosher wine, vegetables and fruit, paper plates and cups from the commissary, chose an appropriate space, and found a senior lay leader to help him conduct the services. Then he went looking for participants. Seventeen people showed up for Shabbat services on Friday night, and 20 people attended the first Seder, including enough children to make up a traditional "kids' table."

This was Rabbi Lapp's second trip to "Gitmo," as the base in Cuba is called. Flexibility is key when bringing Jewish tradition to faraway places, he's learned. When he couldn't find a shankbone for the Seder plate, he asked the children to draw pictures of shankbones. Instead of turkey or brisket, the Seder participants enjoyed the kosher salamis Rabbi Lapp brought with him. Lay Leader Lt. Susan Otto from Long Island, a social worker assigned to the base hospital, helped make charoset from the apples and nuts the rabbi brought along. Her twin daughters asked the four questions at the Seder, and found the afikomen, too! "It was a most rewarding experience," Rabbi Lapp said. "We had Seders, with good participation. We appointed a lay leader. We counseled a lot of people." That's the mission of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council--to support Jewish military personnel wherever they are.

[Originally posted: July 19, 2005]