What if Egypt had hosted the Winter Olympics?
(An innovation from 2010 that you might
be able to adapt for any year if you think about what’s “current” at
that time.)
As we get close to the Seder meal, the Haggadah refers to a rabbi named Gamliel who says we need to remember three symbols if we want to appreciate Passover. Gamliel highlights the shankbone (pesach), matza,and maror.
So here’s where the fun comes in any year. I (meaning Rabbi Shapiro) created this innovation at our Seder in 2010 right after the Winter Olympics. You could improvise any year in another new way.
In 2010, I invited people around the Seder table to imagine history with a slight wrinkle. I asked them to imagine (with a smile) that, way back in the days of slavery, Egypt hosted the Winter Olympics. If that had happened, how might be the symbols on the Seder plate have been different? What might have been on the Seder plate to recall the experience in Egypt? How could the new Winter Olympics symbols capture our holiday of freedom?
Full disclosure from Rabbi – This was obviously a crazy idea, but it caught my fancy. Thinking about speed skating, the luge, snowboards and whatever, adults and kids had some pretty creative and fun commentary.
Hint – E-mail those attending your Seder ahead of time. Ask them to imagine the new Seder plate before they come. It will give them time to come up with some terrific, novel ideas. Enjoy.