Virtual Passover
A Seder Unlike All Others
Passover begins on Wednesday, April 8th. As we all know, this year we will have Seders unlike all others. In past years, many of us have gathered with our temple community or with loved ones around a large Seder table. This year, many of us will set far smaller tables, as we connect with family, friends, and community through technology. This Passover we are physically distant, but we can remain socially close. The temple is providing a Seder through zoom, in which you and your loved ones are welcome to participate. You can join by phone or by computer at 6 pm on April 8. See 3 special Passover recipes.
For some of us, this is the first time we are preparing a Seder plate. It need not be fancy or elaborate. Your meal can be as simple or as gourmet as you desire. What matters most is that you stay home, safe, and healthy.
How do you set the seder plate?
There are typically six items on a Seder plate. If you don’t have a seder plate, you can place these items on any plate you have.
1) Beitzah, Roasted egg
2) Zeroa (A Shankbone or Beets)
3) Karpas (Parsley)
4) Maror (Horseraddish, ground or whole)
5) Chazeret (Romaine lettuce or another green)
6) Charoset (A sweet apple-wine dish)
What else do you need?
1) Matzah
2) Grape juice or wine
3) Salt water
4) A Haggadah, or service booklet. If you do not have one, don’t worry. There are many free and inexpensive Haggadot available online. The temple is also creating a Haggadah, which will be used during our Zoom seder on Wednesday
5) A comfortable chair to sit in (or a pillow to make it more comfortable).
Show me the Haggadot!
The Temple’s Haggadah is currently in the works and will be available for download on Monday. Alternatively, you may choose to use one of the many Hagadot which have been made available this year for free, or for a reduced rate. This list is not exhaustive, though it does contain many great options.
- Sharing the Journey Haggadah, which can also be purchased through Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, or Google Play
- New Union Haggadah, which can also be purchased through Amazon Kindle
- Haggadas-R-Us generously is allowing people who already own one of their haggadot to download it for free
- PJ Library created a downloadable family Haggadah
- Make your own Haggdah at Haggadot.com
What are some other awesome resources?
- Send a free Passover ecard from https://reformjudaism.org/ecards
- The Union of Reform Judaism has created wonderfully comprehensive Passover materials at https://reformjudaism.org/how-make-your-virtual-seder-lively-engaging-and-meaningful
- You may not have anyone to hide the Afikoman from this year, but you may wish to take part in BBYO’s Great Afikoman Hunt
Looking for recipes?
- Temple Beth El put on a 3-part Passover cooking series with Eliot Swartz. See the Zoom sessions recorded on Facebook during which Eliot made Tzimmes kugel and flourless chocolate cake or see the recipes themselves.
- You can make your own matzah
- The Union of Reform Judaism has several other Passover recipes
Let me hear the music!
Cantor Davidson also put together this collection of wonderful Passover melodies:
Ha Lachma Anya by Peri Smilow
Ma Nishtana, and a fun kid version by Jason Mesches
V’hi She-amda, the traditional or Yonatan Razel versions
Kos Miriam by Peri Smilow
Adir Hu, from PJ Library
Chad Gadya traditional
Alberto Mizrachi & Jack Mendelsohn sing Moshe Oysher
Echad Mi Yodea traditional Hebrew version
Additional Fun Videos for your viewing pleasure:
Passover Songs Mashup: https://youtu.be/f0qsy32Hk4s
Adele/Bieber Passover Mashup: https://youtu.be/QwKBIzzlzvY
Maccabeats Bieber Passover: https://youtu.be/x1jRAf0u9Kc
Six13 P-A-S-S-O-V-E-R: https://youtu.be/5qSXrnkSeKs
Six13 Chozen (Frozen parody): https://youtu.be/iwBuNtd4xAY
Six13 Lion King Passover: https://youtu.be/qervY5HSzqM
Dayenu Coming Home: https://youtu.be/E_RmVJLfRoM
Six13 Seder Crew: https://youtu.be/LhR13I6UE1c
Six13 Uptown Passover: https://youtu.be/7Q7Jo7FkLH4
A Thriller Passover (for Michael Jackson fans) at https://youtu.be/Tzrrk2ToFr0
BimBam (or Godcast) and Jason Mesches Passover are great resources for young families
We hope that you have a meaningful and joyful Passover. We may be confined to our homes, but we are free to celebrate our traditions in ways that we find fulfilling. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the temple, or to email us, your clergy, at rabbikail@bethelsp.org, or cantor@bethelsp.org.