While President Barack Obama marked a new tradition of hosting Passover Seder in the White House earlier this week, the Hittner family of Houston continued its decade long tradition of welcoming people from different religious backgrounds to help retell the story of the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt and out of bondage.
More than 200 people attended the 10th Annual 2nd Night of Passover Seder hosted by attorney George Hittner , his wife Erica and 
parents Judge David Hittner and Dr. Helen Mintz-Hittner. George Hittner began the tradition with his college roomates, and over the years he slowly started welcoming other friends and business associates to learn about the traditions of his faith.
The event was held at Damian’s Cocina Italiana, and featured the famous Hittner family recipe of “Chicken with seeds, matzah ball soup, haroset (a Jewish apple concoction) matzah (basically large crackers but officially “unleavened bread”) half-sour pickles and lots of wine!
I had the honor of attending for a second year and the crowd included the Hittner’s close friends and family, community leaders and elected officials: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack and wife Judge Sherry Radack, State Senator John Whitmire, attorney Jim Grace, Carl Davis from the City of Houston, public relations expert Kim Padgett, along with several parents with young children.
While people enjoyed the company and good food, they also particpated in prayer and song as host George Hittner called on members of the crowd to read aloud from the haggadah.
The story of Passover is derived from the Old Testament of the Bible when the angel of death “passed over” the houses of the Israelites as death fell upon the first-born of each Egyptian household. The “Last Supper” was a Passover Seder.
I look forward to attending next year’s 2nd Night of Passover Seder.
Mary Benton Media 