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Wedding Officiant -Debbi Ballard

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Home » passover

Facing your fears and the hero of Passover

March 28, 2017 by Debbi Ballard Leave a Comment

Who do you think was the hero of Passover?

I bet you anything you’ll say Moses, right off the bat, right?

Well, it’s important to know the story of Passover and dig a little deeper, so I’m going to share my personal thoughts on a great Passover hero, Nachshon.

I’m not saying Moses wasn’t a hero – he was! He conquered his fears, despite feeling insecure as a result of his speech impediment, and he absolutely believed he was not worthy of the responsibility God had bestowed upon him. But, he had a huge advantage – he had God on his side, and his brother Aaron, supporting and encouraging all the way.

Nachshon was not so lucky. As the Israelites approached the Sea of Reeds, and Pharoah’s army was already in hot pursuit, intending to recapture the released slave community, he was left with a choice – a momentary decision that would change history.

Nachshon had a debilitating fear of water. As he looked ahead, and all around, he saw only water, fear, and was sure he would drown.

As he looked back, he saw Pharoah’s army, closing in on the Israelites. Surely, he could not go back. He knew in that moment that going backwards not only also meant death, but regression and surrender to evil.

So, he chose forward. He put those fears aside, and stuck his toe into the water. Consumed even more with fear, he continued, staring fear in the face, and moving forward.

Just at the moment the water was about to overtake Nachshon, the miracle occurred. Moses lifted his staff unto the heavens. In concert with the Divine, at that very moment the waters parted, and the Israelites had a clear path to freedom.

So – who was the hero? What brought upon us this great miracle? Did Moses have supernatural power? Well, kind of – he had God leading the way. But my hero of the day is Nachshon. An ordinary guy, using his human power to conquer fear, look forward, and move through the fear. Making it to the other side, I am inspired by this story, year after year.

Facing fears and the hero of Passover

Not a day goes by that I’m not afraid of something. But I always keep the story of Nachshon nearby to remind me that fear will always be what stops me – if I allow it.

This Passover, what are you afraid of, that you are willing to stare in the face and move through?

Wishing you a holiday of strength and perseverance, like those who came before us.

Filed Under: Debbi's Deep Thoughts and Musings, Thoughts Tagged With: inspiration, Jewish heroes, passover

Getting Ready For Passover….Preparing (and understanding) Your Seder Plate

March 18, 2017 by Debbi Ballard Leave a Comment

Getting Ready for Passover – Preparing Your Seder Plate

Passover is one of the most symbolic of the Jewish holidays and the Seder plate is the centerpiece of our table. The Seder features the story of Exodus and at the heart of the Seder table is the Seder Plate. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Debbi's Deep Thoughts and Musings, Holidays, Let's Eat! Tagged With: passover, Seder Plate

Reflections on Passover

April 23, 2009 by Debbi Ballard 1 Comment

Well, with Passover behind me, I can finally breathe a bit, and settle back into writing.  I have been so fortunate to do some great events lately, but Passover was stellar, and I’m so excited to have had the honor to return to Broken Sound for the 2nd year in a row.

Once again, F&B Director Ed Cichelo & the staff at Broken Sound Country Club did an amazing job, and I’m so grateful to Ed for making me a part of this exciting event, and being so gracious to me and my family who joined me on both nights.  The Country Club is absolutely beautiful, and they do such a great job with the room.  First night, I think we were somewhere between 700-800, and it’s an amazing feat just to get food out of a kitchen and on tables, but I watch in amazement at the precise process and amazing training the staff has at making guests feel comfortable.  White gloves and precision placement of plates on a table are the highlight, until you taste the food!  Dinner includes a full half chicken, yummy brisket, 2 types of potato puree, fresh veggies, and that’s just the entree!  You’re really lucky if you can eat half the entree, because by the time it gets there, you’ve eaten whitefish salad, Matzo Ball soup, gefilte fish and salad, and all the matzoh you can eat!  YUM!  But what really makes this unbelievable is the price – Ed, you do an amazing job!

Passover with Cantor Debbi at Broken Sound Country Club
Passover Seder Plate

For the Seder, I try to make it as interesting, light hearted, interactive, and understandable for everyone.  I use a really fun Haggadah, and my highlight is the involvement I have with the kids.  Midway through the seder, I bring the kids up and we all sing The Four Questions together.  It is such a precious picture to see little 3 year old brother and sister holding hands together as we sing.  I tell everyone to get ready, because at the end of dinner, we will get back together to find the afikoman.  And sure enough, I have about 30 kids scurrying through a room of 700, searching for the afikoman.  It’s to die for!  Ed gives me a stack of $1 bills, so I can give EVERYONE a gift for searching – but I think it’s funny how the 30 grows to 45 when I’m handing out the dollars!  🙂

Regardless, Passover is about remembering our ancestors, being grateful for our freedom, religious, and personal, and looking forward to a season of renewal.  I kind of feel like we have 2 New Years in the Jewish faith, because I certainly feel renewed and eager to explore new ideas and change for the upcoming year during Passover.  This season, I am grateful for my professional freedom to express my faith and worship as I choose, to find G-d in unexpected places, and to continue my spiritual path of learning and growth.  I have great ideas to put into action for the coming year, and am looking at new ways to interact with people.

I pray that this season of spring, you find your own new ways of self expression, gratitude for what really matters, and breaking the bonds of your own personal slavery.  Freedom is amazing, truly.  What you do with it makes it even more so.

B’Shalom

 

Filed Under: Holidays, Jewish Tagged With: Afikoman, Broken Sound Club, passover, seder

Passover 2009 – Broken Sound Country Club

April 1, 2009 by Debbi Ballard 1 Comment

I’m so excited to announce that I am returning to the Broken Sound Country Club, to lead their Passover Seders for the 2009 season.

beautiful Broken Sound Country Club Passover Seder dining room
The beautiful Broken Sound Country Club Passover Seder dining room

 

Last year was my first year, and it was so much fun. My friend, Cantor Jerry Cohn, had been leading their Seders for years, but had gotten ill, and recommended me to lead their Seder. Last year, our first night brought over 400 people, but this year, we are already up to 600! PRESSURE!

The night is so much fun. I perform a 45 minute Seder, with a custom created Hagaddah for the guests, and we have about 50 children, so we get to sing the 4 questions and find the Afikoman. We are prepared at both Seders with LOTS of $1 bills, so we get ALL the kids in on the search!

The food is awesome, and Broken Sound graciously gives me a table, so I can invite my family. Hopefully, Ed (The F&B Manager) will make my famous recipe “Matzoh Clusters” for desert! This year, Mom is making Seder at home for first night, but the family will be joining me at the club on Thursday night. My BFF, Nancy and her brood is coming for first night, so I’m really excited that I will have company for both nights this year.

I’m so lucky to have this opportunity, and am grateful to Ed and his staff for the amazing quality and organization of their Passover Seders. I am even impressed that they manage to keep their prices SO incredibly reasonable, another testament to Ed’s passion and dedication to put on an amazing event for his members. See you next week!

Filed Under: Holidays Tagged With: Broken Sound, Country Club, passover, seder

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