Right? Wrong! This year, spice up your Passover celebration. Rejuvenate your Seder observance! How? Try these “sure to wow them and keep them interested” Seder tricks:

· Have a Persian scallion battle - This is a Persian custom. During the reciting and singing of Dayeinu, when the words “Had God taken us out of Egypt…” are said/sung, Seder participants pick up scallions from their plate. When the word “Dayeinu” is said/sung, they hit each other lightly on the back or shoulders with the scallions to remind themselves of how it felt to be slaves.

· Turn your table into a pyramid-building zone - Provide Seder participants, especially younger ones, with Legos or other building blocks. The pyramids never looked so good!

· Change the Elijah ritual - Instead of having a full cup to begin with, explain that the Messianic Time will not come unless we are all committed to working toward peace and freedom. Ask people to demonstrate their willingness to help by pouring a drop of wine (or juice) from their cup into Elijah’s cup. Don’t worry about mixing wines – Elijah won’t care.

· Sing “The Frog Song” - This is my favorite! For those of you who are not with the times, the words are: One Morning Pharaoh awoke in his bed, there were frogs on his head and frogs on his bed, frogs on his nose and frogs on his toes, frogs here, frogs there, frogs were jumping everywhere. Lots of jumping IS required!

· Act out the Passover story - So much more fun than just reading it from the Hagadah! Imagine how it would have been to be Moses leading the people, or one of the slaves finally facing freedom, or Pharaoh with his “hardened heart” or…!

· Use plague bags - Put one together or buy one (there are many to choose from) that have a representation of each plague. Guaranteed to make the fun last.

· Give awards – Rabbi Al Axelrod created the “Shifra and Puah Award” that recognizes non-violent resistance to tyranny. Have a discussion with Seder participants. Who should receive the award this year? Are there other awards to give out as well?

· Update the music – The internet provides new Passover music every year. Have a favorite tune? Someone has most certainly rewritten the words to make them fit the Seder table. Feeling creative? Write your own parody – take a melody you are familiar with, and write new words that describe your Passover traditions. Share it at your Seder. Enjoy a few laughs.

There are many ways to make this year’s Passover Seder unique. Use the ideas above, or create your own “Seder tricks.” The possibilities are endless! Make this year’s Seder the Seder to remember.  

- By Rabbi Jessica E. Locketz (April 2005)

Click here to read other monthly messages to the congregation from Rabbi Locketz.  Click here to read Rabbi Mahler's congregational messages.  Click here to read Temple President David Cohen's messages to the congregation.