One of the classic lines in the Haggadah declares that even if a person is wise and learned and even if a person knows the Passover story inside out, it is still important to tell and retell the story of our slavery and freedom.
I take that notion seriously insofar as I try my best each year to discover something “new” in the very “old” story told by the Haggadah. As Passover approaches, I ask myself what distinguishes this year from other years and that’s where my creative efforts focus.
So, then, what does distinguish this year - 2013?
What lends itself to conversation, give-and-take, and hopefully some humor? And that is another focus for me: If we can’t laugh at our Seder, we haven’t done it right. There has to be some humor.
But first to the events that might shape Seder 2013.
Two historic anniversaries instantly jump out at me.
The first is the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. See Honoring the Warsaw Ghetto 1943-2013, The largest revolt against the Nazis began 70 years ago this year. On Monday, April 19, 1943, the Nazis prepared to liquidate what had been the largest ghetto of the war and they were quite literally stopped dead in their tracks. The Jews fought back and resisted valiantly for several weeks.
It was an unprecedented effort at resistance to the Nazis. And I see myself remembering the experience during Seder 2013 because the revolt began as Passover began! In fact, part of the Nazis’ intent was to wipe out the ghetto on Passover!
For that reason alone, Seder 2013 will honor the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
There is a second anniversary to honor this year:
1948 – 2013 marks the 65th anniversary of Israel. See Readings on Israel's 65th Anniversary.
One reason the Nazis could triumph 70 years ago is because there wasn’t yet a sovereign Jewish state. That tragic situation was remedied 65 years ago this spring. In the course of Seder 2013, then, I want to celebrate and rejoice in the creation of the Jewish state.
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Of course, since I love “anniversaries,” this year I also want to play with memories of another year. Thinking back to the 60’s, I realize it’s 50 years since 1963. 50 years! A huge chunk of time. Who can resist looking back?
In 1963, Betty Friedan published her landmark book, The Feminine Mystique. The Beatles released their debut album in Britain. Dr. No, the first James Bond movie, opened in the USA. The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in August of that year and so much more.
And how does that relate to the Seder?
Get creative!
After the traditional Four Questions, invite your Seder guests to answer four 1963 trivia questions that you develop. Invite your guests to sing their favorite Beatles song? (See Remembering 1963 for Fun.) Who can remember all the lyrics?
(OR choose your own favorite Beatles song, print the words, and have everyone sing with you.)
OR Invite your guests to chant the Four Questions to the tune of a Beatles song.
OR When you get to the Cup of Elijah and the hope for a better world, distribute part of Dr. King’s 1963 dream speech and read it aloud. If you were alive in 1963, talk about a memory you have of that year. Invite your guests to bring pictures of themselves taken in 1963! Invite your guests to dress “60’s style.”
Get creative and have some fun
And while you are at it….
Some specific ideas for your Seder…
**Early in the Seder when you get to the karpas/parsley blessing which symbolizes thankfulness for the arrival of spring, look at the children around your table. They represent growth and new ideas. Pause right there, everyone holds hands, and the adults bless the children.
**After the Four Questions, the Haggadah turns to the Four Children. Now turn to the actual children at your table…What is the best or the most interesting or the weirdest or the most important thing they have learned in school lately. (7 year olds can do this; so can those who are 17!) Or ask the kids what is your favorite subject in school and why.
**Again after the Four Questions, invite anyone (maybe especially the kids) to add a fifth question. Offer a prize of some sort to the person with the best out-of-the-box, difficult, challenging, humorous question on Judaism or any topic in the world.
**For fun – telephone someone you love who isn’t at your Seder. Plan ahead maybe and invite that person to read part of the Haggadah for you.
**When you get to the Seder plate and you are describing what you see, invite those present to brainstorm about what object they might add this year to make the Seder relevant. (A Red Sox cap hoping the Red Sox will emerge from their slavery to losing games? A blank check hoping the Federal government won’t go bust?)
**Or…try this…You the leader of the Seder bring a grab bag to the Seder and invite people to take something from the bag and then explain how it helps fill out the story of Passover. (You might put a tennis ball, a timer, a remote control, a sock, and a light bulb in the bag. Someone puts a hand into the bag and offers an interpretation for whatever comes out.)
**Before or after you sing Dayenu, think about the idea of having enough. Maybe this is a good time to go around the table and invite everyone to comment on one “blessing” they have experienced this year or they are experiencing at the Seder. (For example, I survived illness…My house didn’t flood this winter…My adult child got a good job…etc etc.)
**Stop before you open the door for Elijah to visit the Seder. Everyone writes on a card (anonymously) what an imaginary guest might say if he/she entered the house along with Elijah. For example, what would Hillary Clinton say if she showed up? What would the Pope (retired or new) say? What would Homer Simpson say? Jack Black? Greg Heffley? The choice is yours. The leader collects the cards and after you sing Eliahu Hanavi and empty his wine cup, read the answers aloud. (Should be funny and fascinating as well.)
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I guess you get the idea.
Read the Haggadah. Choose wisely so your Seder isn’t too long or too rushed. AND add your own creativity. If you do, you’ll have a night to remember.
Visit our website to learn more.
www.sinai-temple.org
Hope to see you on the first morning of Passover for our congregational service – Tuesday, March 26 at 10:30 a.m. A light lunch follows the service.
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When in doubt, one can always turns to the words of a wise Jew. In this case, listen to what playwright Arthur Miller has to teach us: “Jews are very impatient with doing the same thing over and over again. It's gotta be different. “ Have fun as you make your Seder “different.”,