March 2019

WHOOMP, (Se)der it is!

According to a 2013 Pew Research Survey, celebrating in a Passover Seder was the most common Jewish observance for American Jews. Coming in at 70%, this level of participation remains high across all demographics—regardless of age, education, or marital status.
 
Some folks might think, “We're already doing great at Passover! Let’s focus on some less-practiced rituals like lighting Shabbat candles.” But there’s still that 30% room for growth! And when we have an audience, it's a great time to make the moment meaningful. One of the key ingredients to get people to return to the seder table - and hopefully to other Jewish celebrations, too! - is making the events welcoming, exciting, and (of course) tasty.
 
It might feel a little premature to be doing a newsletter focused on Passover. However, if we waited until April, we would be cutting it a little too close to pull off some significant changes to our Seders this year. It’s like waiting until the week of your friend’s birthday to find them a present—your options may be limited. Seders take a long time and a lot of effort, so we hope some of our ideas will jump start your process for preparing for your Pesach (Passover) party that begins on April 19th.
 
Topics included in this newsletter are:
 

• Methods for making your special seder a little more kid-friendly
• Seder traditions from around the world that you may find intriguing
• Ways in which the seder plate has evolved and new items have found their way on it
• What it looks like when Elijah comes to visit a family who sees themselves in the story
• Some new and unique haggadot that may enhance an individual’s or group’s experience

 
We hope you find these articles fruitful (and chameitz [leavened food] free)!