Congregation Beth Sholom in Anchorage is hosting a Passover Potluck on Friday, April 22, for LGBT Jews and their friends and families. This is a Passover Dinner — it is NOT a Seder. Everybody is welcome. You don’t have to be Jewish; you don’t have to be invited by anyone.

Congregation Beth Shalom is a Reform Jewish synagogue that is welcoming to LGBT people and has taken the Keshet pledge Do Not Stand Idly By to stop anti-gay bullying:

“As members of a tradition that sees each person as created in the divine image, we respond with anguish and outrage at the spate of suicides brought on by homophobic bullying and intolerance. We hereby commit to ending homophobic bullying or harassment of any kind in our synagogues, schools, organizations, and communities. As a signatory, I pledge to speak out when I witness anyone being demeaned for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. I commit myself to do whatever I can to ensure that each and every person in my community is treated with dignity and respect.”

All food brought to the Potluck should conform to the following Kosher for Passover dairy meal guidelines:

• NO meat or poultry, including beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, chicken stock.
• NO shellfish, including shrimp, crab, clams, oysters, lobster, scallops.
• Fish such as salmon, halibut and tuna are permitted.
• NO leavening, including anything made with yeast, baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk, yogurt, phosphates and carbonates. In other words, no baked goods, breads, or pasta, unless specifically Kosher for Passover.
• NO grains, including wheat, barley, oats, rye and spelt. (Exception: Items which are specifically Kosher for Passover, such as matzah, are ok.)
• NO legumes, including beans, green beans, lentils and peas.
• NO soy products, including tofu and soy sauce.
• Rice, corn, and corn products are permitted.

Think of it as an Iron Chef challenge!

The LGBT Passover Potluck will be from 6-7:30 pm at Congregation Beth Sholom, 7525 E. Northern Lights Blvd. in Anchorage, Alaska. You are invited to stay for Shabbat services, which start at 7:30 pm.