Happy Seder

First Family and guests to enjoy matzoh ball soup, braised beef brisket, etc. at Monday night dinner.

BACKGROUND ON TONIGHT’S PASSOVER SEDER

How it came to be:

In 2008 on the campaign trail, after a long day on train through PA, POTUS and staff ended up in Harrisburg. It was late in the evening and they had an impromptu Passover Seder at POTUS’ insistence, including Jewish and non-Jewish staffers. Each year since, President and Mrs. Obama have hosted a Seder at the White House including those who were there, plus others staffers and family.

Details for this year:

We will again use the Maxwell House Haggadah. It will be not strictly kosher but kosher style. The White House kitchen is doing most of the cooking. Much of the menu comes from family recipes provided by the staff. Among those family recipes: chicken soup with matzoh balls, braised beef brisket, potato kugel, carrot soufflé, and matzoh chocolate cake.

Attendees will include the following people and a couple of their family members:

· President Barack Obama

· First Lady Michelle

· Malia Obama

· Sasha Obama

· Danielle Borrin, Associate Director, Office of Public Engagement

· Arun Chaudhary, White House Videographer

· Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President

· Lisa Kohnke, Deputy Director of Special Events for the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs

· Eric Lesser, Director of Strategic Planning, White House Council of Economic Advisers

· Reggie Love, Personal Aide to the President

· Cookie Offerman, Deputy Associate Director, Office of the Social Secretary

· Jen Psaki, Deputy White House Communications Director

· Samantha Tubman, Deputy Associate Director, Office of the Social Secretary

· Dr. Eric Whitaker

· Melissa Winter, Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Lady

· Herbie Ziskend, Policy Analyst, Office of the Vice President