Guests of Other Backgrounds
There are often guests from other faith and cultural backgrounds at the sederLit. Order. The festive meal conducted on Passover night, in a specific order with specific rituals to symbolize aspects of the Exodus from Egypt. It is conducted following the haggadah, a book for this purpose. The mystics of Sefat also created a seder for Tu B'shvat, the new year of the trees. table. If they are not family members, they usually come as delighted guests and present no special challenges. Family members can bring more issues to the table. Some may never have attended a seder or might be uncomfortable with the religious choices their children have made. As always, it is best to talk through things beforehand, to explain what to expect, to make the seder inclusive and user-friendly, and to honor their differences.
Small Children
The seder was created as a teaching vehicle for children. Still, with its hours of words, late night eating, and sometimes difficult concepts, it may not seem that way. Your best bet is to design the seder around the children. Have entertainment early and often. Include songs they know including some special PassoverPassover is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery and Exodus from Egypt. Its Hebrew name is Pesakh. Its name derives from the tenth plague, in which God "passed over" the homes of the Jewish firstborn, slaying only the Egyptian firstborn. Passover is celebrated for a week, and many diaspora Jews celebrate for eight days. The holiday begins at home at a seder meal and ritual the first (and sometimes second) night. Jews tell the story of the Exodus using a text called the haggadah, and eat specific food (matzah, maror, haroset, etc). children’s songs—The Frog Song, Oh Baby, Let My People Go, etc. Give out percussives and use them. Put snacks on the table so guests are not starving until dinner comes. During the maggidLit. The telling The section of the Passover seder for telling the story of the exodus from Egypt section we usually separate children and adults. Adults engage in an adult discussion while a few adults go with the children to prepare a skit which is performed after the adult activity. Buy or make and use a plague bag. Hit each other with scallions during Dayenu (an Afghani and Iranian custom). Have prizes for all the children regardless of who finds the afikomenThe broken half of the middle matzah, hidden by the leader of the seder and ransomed back by the children. The seder meal cannot be completed without the return and eating of the afikomen as the desert.. Have someone dress up and play ElijahElijah is a biblical prophet who is said never to have died. There are therefore many legends associated with Elijah. In the Talmud, unresolved arguments will be resolved when Elijah comes. He will herald the coming of the messiah. In Jewish ritual, Elijah is a liminal figure, arriving at moments of danger and transition – at a brit milah, a chair is put out for him, a cup is poured for Elijah at the Passover seder, and he is invoked at havdalah. His Hebrew name is Eliyahu.. Keep it short—1 1/2 hours before dinner max; half-hour after dinner. Remember that your seder will change as the children getA writ of divorce. Traditionally, only a man can grant his wife a get. Liberal Jews have amended this tradition, making divorce more egalitarian. older. For now, keeping them happy and engaged keeps everyone happy.
