Easter, Passover This Weekend

Searching for eggs and serving Seder. This weekend Easter and Passover are celebrated. Below, find just a few of the ways area institutions will honor the holidays.

• The Jewish Center of the Hamptons, located at 44 Woods Lane in East Hampton, invites any community members to its Second Night Passover Seder.

Passover is celebrated in the early spring, and commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed by ritual Seder meals that recount the Jewish people’s exodus to freedom. Today, Seders remember and pray for all those who are oppressed or otherwise in need, while inspiring each individual to strive for a greater measure of self-liberation from the limitations we impose upon ourselves.

To secure your reservation for the JCOH Pesach Seder, please call the JCOH office at 631-324-9858 or email office2@jcoh.org. Please note, no one will be denied entrance to the Seder due to finances; speak with Rabbi Franklin or Cantor/Rabbi Stein to make special arrangements in confidence.

• Springs Presbyterian Church announced Holy Week services as follows: Maundy Thursday service takes place at 7 PM at East Hampton Presbyterian Church. Dr. Bob Stern on the violin and Peter Martin Weiss (guitar) are the guest musicians.

The Good Friday service will be held at 7 PM at Amagansett Presbyterian Church. At 6 AM Sunday, there will be a sunrise service at Gerard Point, with an Easter service at 10 AM in the Springs Church sanctuary.

A 10 AM Easter Sunday service at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton will welcome guest musicians, Jerry Verpent and Alicia Rau on the trumpet, Bob Hovey on the trombone, Jane Hastay on the organ, plus the Chancel choir and children’s choir.

• Chabad of the Hamptons promises “A Passover Seder Like No Other” happening on Friday at Chabad on Woods Lane in East Hampton and Saturday at the Baumgarten home. Both feasts occur at 7 PM. Call 631-329-5800 ext. 4 to RSVP.

• The Hampton Bays Assembly of God presents a model Passover Seder/Communion Service given by Jews for Jesus at 6 PM on Friday. Call 631-723-1847 to register. On Sunday there will be a sunrise service at Ponquogue Beach at 6 AM, with worship services following at 8:45 and 10:30 AM.

• Montauk’s “Eggstravaganza” Easter egg hunt and games for kids 10 and under hatches on Saturday at 11 AM on the Village Green, hosted by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, Candied Anchor, and Montauk Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. The free event features an egg hunt, foot races, Easter baskets, and bunny ears. Rain date is Sunday at noon.

•  The Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Petting Zoo on Saturday. Wear your most creative Easter Bonnet and meet in front of Muse Restaurant at 1 PM.  Join the Easter Bunny as he leads the sidewalk parade to the Sag Harbor Garden Center for a free petting zoo. For more information, visit sagharborchamber.com.

• The Sag Harbor Lions Club will hold its 58th Easter Egg Hunt at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor on Easter Sunday and that’s no April Fool. The Easter Bunny will arrive around 12:45 PM and the first hunt will start at 1PM. This year, 3000 multi-colored eco-friendly eggs made of 100 percent plant material are filled with candy and trinkets and hidden in the picnic area of the park. There are three groups: one for the youngest egg hunters under two and up to four years old, the second area for five to seven year olds and another for the eight to 10 year old group. Eight eggs in each section are filled with colored coupons that the children can trade-in for special prizes!

There will be pony rides for the children up to 100 pounds with a donation of $5 per ride. Snacks, juice boxes, and water are available for $1 each at the tent. Donations help defray the cost of the pony rides provided by Scorpion Farm in Southampton. BNB Bank is a sponsor of the eco-eggs and candy. And, the Bunny thanks the Sag Harbor Variety Store for its help in getting the candy and goodies.