Dear Friends –
Another year has passed. I’m actually writing these words on Purim as I look forward to Passover and the 2019 Seder. As always, I’m thinking about my own Shapiro Family Seder and how to shape the drama for this year. Plus I’m thinking about all of you who will soon be preparing for your own Seder events.
What’s new? What might give this year’s Seder its unique character?
If you are drawn to politics, this is (for better or worse) another stellar political year. Without getting specific, I can easily imagine references/questions/comments to our national politics dropping into the Four Questions or the Four Children. Depending on who joins you at the Seder, you could have great fun as well some serious moments considering where we are as Jews and Americans this year.
By the way, there are two anniversaries which may be of interest to you.
First, look back 55 years to 1964. The place was St. Augustine in Florida where civil rights demonstrations had grown increasingly violent over a two-year period. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested there on June 11 and wrote a letter from jail asking his friend, Rabbi Israel Dresner of New Jersey to come to Florida and take part in the demonstrations. Dresner brought with 17 additional rabbis – all of them Reform rabbis. They were arrested and, sitting in jail, wrote a letter outlining their vision for justice. You can learn more and also read their letter. How about featuring some of this history in your Seder?
Second, look back 50 years to 1969. It was one year after the assassination of Dr. King when Rabbi Arthur Waskow realized that the third night of Passover (April 4) would be the first anniversary of King’s death. What did Waskow do? He created something called The Freedom Seder and had hundreds of people attend this new, revolutionary event honoring Dr. King, the civil rights movement, and the many political issues of that time. Again – Do a bit of research and you’ll add something remarkable to your Seder.
But you’ve got young children coming to your Seder. If so, you may need a Haggadah or at least parts of a Haggadah designed for the young. Last week I purchased a new Haggadah entitled The Baseball Haggadah. The subtitle tells the story: A Festival of Freedom and Springtime in 15 Innings.
You guessed it. The author comes from a family that loves baseball and so she has retold the Passover story as a baseball story in which the Egyptian “team” battles the Jewish “team” until one side hits a home run to win! The text is a bit forced, but it’s a charming idea. You might enjoy owning and using parts for your own Seder.
Beyond that, my favorite Haggadah for young families is called A Children’s Haggadah. It’s published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. It tells the story for elementary age children, but adults will love it as well.
For other Passover ideas…especially those for young families… Check out my offerings here entitled The Seder – 2016 AND The Seder – 2015. Look to the left column and you’ll also see links for Family Activities and Games for Children.
This whole Passover website offers many ideas. Some were developed recently; some date back many years. But, depending on you, your family, and your friends, there is much to consider. Try the various headings. Read. Choose. Improvise. Only one request – Have a good time as you design a Seder that matters.
Best wishes….
Rabbi Mark Shapiro