The “world’s highest seder” was held for the fourth consecutive year last weekend in Katmandu, capital of Nepal, a kingdom of 18 million nestled in the Himalayan mountain range, literally at the top of the world.
It was also probably one of the largest seders anywhere.
The Israeli ambassador, Shmuel Moyal, played host to about 900 guests, Israelis and other Jews, tourists, backpackers and business people, many from northern India. The Nepalese government provided a huge tent to accommodate them.
The Brooklyn-based Lubavitcher Hasidic movement supplied the kosher-for-Pesach food. Four young emissaries of the Lubavitcher rebbe delivered a ton-and-a-half of matzah.
The Israeli envoy said he started the tradition four years ago with a modest Passover feast. He had posted a notice on the embassy gates inviting any Israelis or other Jewish visitors to a seder he was holding for embassy staff. To the ambassador’s surprise, over 100 people showed up.
The following year, the seder was held at a hotel. Last year, a marquee was erected on the embassy grounds.
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