Passover in Atlanta

[sammyjalex]

As we have recently been getting ready for our first competitions of the season, it has become a concern to me that the Jewish holiday Passover falls on the same night as the finale party in Atlanta during Champs, the night of April 19th. I was wondering if, perhaps, there are members of other teams going to Atlanta that also have this same concern and would like to group together to find places, a chabad house or synagogue hospitality in which it may be possible to still observe the holiday and perhaps pool together to get an organized transportation system for the possible conflict. we could even collaborate to conduct our seder if that is the best option. If you are interested, please reply as well as for any questions. Supervision would also be needed. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Sam Alexander
Team 341

[ggoldman]

Sam,

I am a mentor on 401, and would like to join in on the search. I am a member of Hillel up here @ VT, so I will see if they know people at the Hillel at Georgia Tech.
Let me know if you find anything else out.

-Gabe

[Simon Strauss]

Three years ago when this issue arose I believe there was a FIRST sponsored(or at least organized) sader. I was not there that year but my cousin was and Ill get the details on what it was from him.

[feliks_rosenber]

Well I don't know if my team will get to Atlanta, but in case we do, then that would be a serious concern. Not only that, the last day of the competition is on Sabbath.

How will you attend the event ?

[sammyjalex]

Thank you all so much. Your replies are very much appreciated. I think FIRST should take consideration toward being a religious Jew in robotics or even secular as Pesach is so universal, since most competitions are over Shabbat, but it seems that in 2002 what they did was to begin a thread like this and found a way to host a seder in that area possibly helped by FIRST and ended up getting around 70 people (that was over the first two nights of the chag). They had a seder for about an hour and a half and then continued to the party..we can decide how we can go about it this year with those of you who have replied with interest. To be Shomer Shabbat, however, is of greater concern such that all FIRST competitions are over Shabbat, I believe. I will bring this up to my coach, perhaps. Because really most if not all competition activity isn't compatible with the observance of Shabbat but perhaps if it is necesary we can bring candles etc. and conduct a service. If anyone has any thoughts on the subject, concern or just comments, please address them.

Thank you,
Sam Alexander
Team 341

[rdlevy1215]

For the 2005 Competition, "Tripple Play," at the Championships in Atlanta they did have a Seder and Dean Kamen was in attendence. I personally was not there, but the seniors on our team who were said that this happend. I wouldn't be surprised if FIRST, or a team, hosts a Passover seder for the holiday.

[sammyjalex]

I wish some one of authority could view this so my parents could be a bit more confident about what's going on., my plans or else I probably can't go..

[neshera]

I'm a very secular Jew, and I was NOT looking forward to missing the first seder. I commend you all for working on this so far in advance.
I've e-mailed some friends, and we'll see if anyone has a location.
Also: There will, by definition, be three Israeli teams in Atlanta. I think the Israeli regional is this weekend (?). Does anyone know if they would be interested, or have made any plans?
I'll let you all know if anything pans out.
Nesher
nesher@hughes.net
(Representing the entire Jewish population of Winnebago - me!)

[Leav]

Hi Guys!

There are actually 6 teams coming in from Israel.

There has been ofcourse much talk about the seder.

4 teams consist mostly of secular jews, but there are 2 full teams whose members are all religious (they were "kiput" or "yarmulkes").

Right now we have a place at the convention center for the seder, and the big wigs over here are trying to determine what kind of seder it's going to be (the big question seems to be if it will include food or not)

obviously anyone wanting to attend is invited, but if there is food we would probably go for a pre-registration kind of thing so we know how much food to get.

i'll keep you guys posted!

-Leav

[Andrew Rudolph]

I don't think I will be there in ATL this year, but back in 2001 and 2005 there would be a seder for anyone who needed to go.

[RoboMom]

To all who have sent me inquires. This is what I know:

• I cannot coordinate this year.
• I sent out emails last fall/winter to those who were involved in 2005. The 2005 effort was a group of volunteers, and not sponsored by FIRST.
• Reps from FIRST Israel offered to look into having a more traditional seder than was held in 2005.
• A room was reserved at the GWCC. (This was before the tornado and needs to be reconfirmed with FIRST.)

[Rifkie]

Hello
I'm a parent for Team 694 (stuyvesant HS NYC) and my son Jonathan will be going to Atlanta and I would be delighted if he could be part of a seder on both Sat and Sunday. Please let us know if we can be of help long distance.
In addition Jonathan is staying over on Sunday so he can visit Emory on Monday morning but we would love to arrange for him to visit and hang out with someone from Georgia Tech on Sunday since they do not have formal tours on that day. Is there anyone who would recommend how to proceed? Thank you in advance
Rita

[Jon236]

Rifkie,

please email Alisha at seder@firstisrael.org.il before April 9, 2008. There are two religious teams attending who will be attending an orthodox seder (although ours will have kosher food!)

[Rifkie]

Thanks for the contact but is there anyone official that can be contacted regarding a full scale seder.? Dean himself?

[Tottanka]

Originally Posted by Rifkie

Thanks for the contact but is there anyone official that can be contacted regarding a full scale seder.? Dean himself?

This email is very official. It's FIRST people you are contacting there .