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Julia Matusik's avatar

It was so lovely and interesting to read about your family, Ruth and I loved the photos. Charoset is new to me - so many variations that I will have to try.

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Lorienne Schwenk's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing these memories. My Charoset is similar to your Mom's. I think the entire Ashkenazi Diaspora was on my street when I was growing up. Those foods taste like memory and like home.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

You're so welcome, Lorienne! My Jewish memories are foundational, the root of many of my posts. How nice to grow up with such an Ashkenazi mix on your street! I too feel like the foods served on Passover taste like memory and home--nicely put!

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Jeanne @JollyTomato's avatar

Wow! These are beautiful family stories! Thank you for sharing - especially for the charoset recipe. Our familiy usually just uses apples and honey, but this year I will add in some wine and almonds too. Happy Passover!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Jeanne! Happy Passover to you and yours. Please let me know how the charoset turns out. There are so many ways to make it--mostly all delicious.

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Marg Moon's avatar

Thank you so much for this, it’s all so fascinating. I feel very ignorant when I read about your family traditions as I know very little about Jewish customs, but I’m grateful that you’ve taken the time to provide all these wonderful details.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks for reading, Marg! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's a bit memoir-ish, but hopefully not too obscure to be somewhat interesting. I hope you and yours had a happy Easter.

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Marg Moon's avatar

We had a lovely Easter thank you. It’s always nice to see family.

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Susan Kjorlien's avatar

Wow, Ruth. Your family's history - so incredible. And Sam's seder plate!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Susan! You're too kind! Happy Passover and Easter to you and yours! 💝

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Loren Ginsburg's avatar

Chag Pesach Sameach!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Chag Sameach to you too, Loren!

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Maggie Williams's avatar

Thank you for your wonderful message! I enjoy your family stories and all your recipes.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much, Maggie!

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Sinù Fogarizzu's avatar

Happy Passover Ruth, an important message to pass along 🙏🏼

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Sinu! Happy Easter!

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Rena Kleiman's avatar

So many nice ideas and memories. Love to read them all. Happy Passover to you all.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Rena! Same to you, Billy and the kids!💗

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Jefferson Graham's avatar

Good article.

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Jolene Handy's avatar

Oh, Ruth! Thank you for this beautiful post about Passover and your family and history! So touching and meaningful and relevant and hopeful seeing these photos and hearing some of their stories. I see you and Jeff looking wonderful! Happy Passover, my friend. ❤️

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Jolene! It's my firm belief that stories never get old and should always be told--preferably more than once. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it. We don't look quite so young, but we're trying to stay healthy. Hope you are too! Happy, happy Easter! 💝

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Dan Barki's avatar

So many interesting thoughts and photos in the newsletter, Ruth. Thank you. The first thing that caught my eye was the "last Seder in Germany, " "a few months before they left." I checked the date of Pesach in 1938; it was April 15-22 or so. I had always thought and said that they left in March 1938. But I am certainly not sure. I do know that Fritz, Edith, Gerda and Eva spent a few months(?) in Zurich, where family lore has it that the women took cooking lessons so that they could manage in America without a cook. And I know that they arrived, by ship, in New York on December 22, 1938, Eva's 17th birthday. Can anyone give me more certainty about dates?

And can anyone make a rather certain guess as to the year of the gathering at Oma's house? I would think 1960 or so. Who is the child between your parents in the 1991 family photo? Is it possible that Sam or Elena were already beyond toddlerhood?

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks for your thoughts and comments, Dan! I didn't know much about the family sojourn in Zurich, especially about the cooking lessons! If you do learn more about the dates, please do share it! The little boy between my parents is Sam at age 5!

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Margalit Mathan's avatar

I love you article , so warm, inclusive and important. Thank you for remembering and reminding us!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thank you for reading, commenting and always being so supportive, Margalit! It's our family and the memories I still have and hold dear that often inspire me to keep writing.

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Leslie's avatar

Love reading this and so enjoy the pictures - beautiful family! Happy Passover to you and Jeff❤

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much, Leslie! Happy Passover to you too!

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