Buy your unique
Jewish Wrapping Paper
and Cards Here and
Support the Temple

Please Click Here
for More Information

Or... Click Below To Go
Directly to Jewcy Wrap

(Please be sure to select
Temple Beth Ami
when ordering)

Few Jewish rituals are more followed and thought of more fondly than the Passover seder. As Jewish communal surveys prove, reminiscences of the holiday table, the aromas of once-a-year foods, the togetherness of family, and especially the familiar tunes stir something in us, bringing more people to the seder table than to any other Jewish celebration during the year.

The Torah commands that "in every generation each Jew should regard themselves as though they personally went forth from Egypt." There is tremendous hope in the saga of the Exodus—and Passover can inspire us to seize it. The seder provides us with an opportunity to explore our liberation in a variety of exciting ways. Celebrants can use all sorts of devices to accomplish this purpose: different haggadot for each of the two nights or from year to year; stressing a theme (feminism, Holocaust); using dramatic techniques and songs to present parts of the story; using props and special effects; bringing in current events. Each individual can talk about what freedom or the Passover experience means personally or can share the oppressions from which they fled.

The following are just some 'seder suggestions':

• Try beginning the Seder with everyone sharing a Pesach memory, thus breaking the ice, especially if your guests do not know each other and giving everyone the opportunity to say something.
   

• How about "homework" for your guests! Perhaps a question that you plan to discuss, (What might be a modern day plague or one of the plagues "updated"— i.e. the turning of Nile water to Blood could be compared to the water shortage or toxic waste in our water supply) or an aspect of the Haggadah itself that you might even send them some photocopied materials to research. These can be ways of including people and keeping them interested.
   

• One way to include the children, is to invite them to make centerpieces, place cards, place mats, pillow covers etc. that will be used during Seder.
   

• Have pages of songs and readings to add to the Haggadah. Included in this book are some examples of popular songs that have been rewritten for Passover, but the collection of creativity in always growing, so use your imagination!
   

• At some Seders, everyone has the same Haggadah making it easy to follow along. Consider giving everyone (or having them bring) a different Haggadah, so that they can share an interpretation, translation or custom from their Haggadah.
   

• Some families have created their very own Haggadah, The possibilities are endless! (i.e. with family pictures and memories; including readings, songs, etc. that have meaning to them ad infinitum.
   

• Some have the tradition to ask The Four Questions in as many languages as possible—the more obscure, the better—depending on the backgrounds and talents of those at the Seder.
   

• The Ten Plagues offer endless opportunities to allow your creative juices, free reign. There are several companies that sell collections of the Ten Plagues.
   

• Some people start their preparations at Tu B'Shvat by planting the parsley or lettuce or other vegetables that will be used/eaten at the Seder. That really helps put us in the framework of Renewal, Spring and the miracle of Rebirth.

• Everyone takes a part and sings together the song Had Gadyah. When your role is sung, you make a sound or act out that particular part. (i.e. the stick, the fire, the ox, the Angel of Death, the Holy One)
   

• Afikomen customs vary from family to family. In some families, anyone who wants an Afikomen, can have one so long as they are willing to pay the price for getting it back. In some families, the "Afikomen-holder" hides the matzah, while in other homes, the children (and any other guest who wants to play—another variation) steal it from him/her and hide it. It then becomes that person's responsibility to get it back in order to end the Seder. It's a good idea to lay down the ground rules at the beginning of the Seder, so that everyone knows and is playing by the same rules.

Spend the few weeks and/or Shabbatot before the holiday, sharing ideas with the members of your family, and enlisting their help, support and input in creating your Seder experience.

One last suggestion, rent/buy "When Do We Eat," starring Michael Lerner and Lesley Ann Warren, this Big Fat Jewish Seder movie deals with the expectations, apprehensions and stereotypes we live with in our world. The film's message of hope reminds us that when we open our hearts to new possibilities, and no longer feel trapped by our normal constraints, true liberation and healing can occur. I promise, you have never seen a seder meal like this one.

Hag Sama'ach, Happy Pasover.

TEMPLE BETH AMI WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY SEDER THE SECOND NIGHT OF PASSOVER, TUESDAY NIGHT, MARCH 30. CALL (661) 255-6410 FOR INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS.

TBA's Shalom Bayit
Newsletter for March

Call to Action!

Donate to AJWS’s Haiti
Earthquake Relief Fund

Special Cantorial soloist
Kyle Cotler
Friday, March 12
8:00 PM

Working under the mentorship
of his father, Cantor/Composer
Doug Cotler, Kyle is one of the
most exciting young voices on
the Jewish music scene today.

Students from the Dalet level
will also be helping to lead
this special Shabbat.

Bet Tzedek and
Temple Beth Ami present...

Debtors’ Rights Clinic
Tuesday, March 16
7:00 PM

Part of Temple Beth Ami’s Series
Coping in Challenging Times
 

The Men's Club of
Temple Beth Ami presents...

Men’s Model Seder
Saturday March 27
6:30 PM
Temple Beth Ami

Sisterhood Victorian Tea Party
at The Tea Gardens
Sunday, April 25
11:00 AM

Jewish Family Baseball
Appreciation Day
Lancaster Jethawks Stadium
Sunday, May 23
12:00PM – 8:00PM
 

The Men's Club of
Temple Beth Ami invites you to...

Havdalah & Hold'em

Join us for a wonderful
monthly evening of
camaraderie among men!

2010 Dates and Times

Support Temple Beth Ami's
Relay for Life Team

Temple Beth Ami hosts SCV’s
Second Annual
Jewish Food Festival
Sunday May 16, 2010

Bridgeport Marketplace

Temple Beth Ami's
Israel & Petra Trip 2010
June 6 - 18, 2010

Interested In
Joining TBA?

TBA Tribute Cards