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So You Want to Host a Seder

So You Want to Host a Seder?
By Becca Campbell

Every year you say you're going to host a Seder, but every year you're overwhelmed by the thought of deciding what to put on the Seder plate, who to invite, what kind of dishes to serve, how to make fluffy matzah balls, and not knowing the answer to "Why is this night different from all other nights?"

Have no fear! If you are Internet-abled, then you can find endless (and I really mean endless) resources, but I scouted out a few that might appeal to different members of our community. If you are more into reading the endless amount of books and haggadot that have been written since the beginning of time (even before Seders were invented!), then hopefully the ones I have noted here will pique your interest.

DISCLAIMER: I do not take responsibility for any of the content of these sites or books, since not only is it said that three Jews have five opinions, but it's Passover and those same three Jews change their mind every year!

PASSOVER BASICS

http://www.digsmagazine.com/host/host_personalpassover3.htm
A simple article with a couple of recipes, mostly pointing you to find a haggadah and follow along.

http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm
More traditional, talks about interesting customs

http://www.ehow.com/how_12296_conduct-passover-seder.html
How-to, step by step

http://www.ehow.com/how_12295_celebrate-passover.html
Additional articles for each aspect

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover_Seder_Plate
Basic 'what's on the Seder plate and why?' from Wikipedia

HAGGADAHS

http://www.jewishfreeware.org/downloads/folder.2006-01-07.0640323187/
Online haggadah, complete with songbook, updates, and a simpler, shorter version (for those who can't stay awake all night)

http://www.slate.com/id/2139601/
Two-minute haggadah, this might be good for a drive-thru or an airplane, just for fun

velveteenrabbi.com/2006-Haggadah.pdf
Haggadah, kinda funny, seems progressive and open

http://www.davka.org/what/haggadah/
Cool, progressive

http://colours.mahost.org/events/haggadah.pdf
I use this haggadah myself, in various forms, whenever I can. It's flexible and allows for creativity.

http://colours.mahost.org/events/haggadah.pdf

Love and Justice in Times of War Haggadah.

VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY

http://www.vrg.org/recipes/passover.htm
Vegan, vegetarian ideas for Seder

MISCELLANEOUS

http://www.613.org/passover.html
If you've forgotten the tunes or want to impress your friends, here are some songs/audio of Passover tunes, a bit cantorial, but you get the idea

INTERESTING

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/120526/jewish/The-Seder.htm

Orthodox/Chabad-style. While I don't know how many folks would use this, sometimes I like to know what other sects are doing on Passover.

http://www.crivoice.org/seder.html

Christian Seder-In my search for Seder info, there were many links to Christian Seders. Of course that makes sense, Last Supper and all, so I thought I'd include a link to one, in case you are curious. I know I am.

FAMILY/KID-FRIENDLY

http://www.30minuteseder.com/

Kid-friendly, downloadable haggadah. When I was a kid I didn't enjoy Passover that much. It was hard to create an evening to please everyone, I'm sure. But if you have a parenting group or there are a lot of kids in the family, a kid-centered Seder may be just the thing to entice the little ones

http://www.partypop.com/Themes/PASS0001.html

Passover with kids, a little light and simple, but some good ideas.

http://kosher4passover.com/kids.htm

This site has a more playful look at Passover, more things to involve kids. Again, it may be a good thing if you are having a large group of kids.

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Passover/TO_Pesach_Seder/Seder_Tips.htm

Kids, creative and off the beaten path a bit. It also involves other families, which might take some pressure off.

www.acaje.org/assets/pdf/parents/Otlnsdrchldrn.pdf

Ideas for including kids in Seder

BOOKS:

I haven't read any of these, so if you do, please let me know if you liked them and why and maybe we'll include your review next year!

Keeping Passover by Ira Steingroot

Passover Seders Made Simple by Zell Shulman

Creating Lively Passover Seders A sourcebook of engaging tales, texts & activities, by David Arnow, Ph.D.

300 Ways to ask the Four Questions Translations & Recordings with CD and DVD, by Murray Spiegel and Rickey Stein

Judaism in a Nutshell: Passover An Easy-to-Use Guide for People who are Long on Curiosity, but Short on Time, by Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf

Passover: The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration, 2^nd edition by Dr. Ron Wolfson




	Union for Reform Judaism