HAVING A GREAT SEDER!

Having a great seder requires more than just inviting family and friends and preparing a delicious meal. If you really want your seder to be unusually nice, here are six easy-to-implement tips, loosely derived from the writings of Dr. Ron Wolfson in the United Synagogue Review and his marvelous companion to anyone’s seder, The Art of Jewish Living: The Passover Seder, published by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs.

When inviting friends over for seder, why not ask them to prepare a brief d’rash about their favorite part of the Haggadah, or prepare a "family song" they might write applying a Passover theme (even a humorous one) to the words of any popular song. Everyone can then have something special to do within the seder, adding to the meaning and the fun.

Too many sedarim are viewed as obstacle courses that have to be traversed in order to eat dinner. Relax! Have a good-sized nosh for karpas (celery, potatoes, eggs) so people don’t become ravenous with hunger. Have things ready for the younger children to do: age-appropriate Passover books and puzzles, handouts, and so forth.

The newest Haggadot have interesting notes and additions that can really make a seder come alive. One of the best is the Feast of Freedom published by the Rabbinical Assembly. If you cannot arrange for everyone to have a copy, then at least buy one for the leader. In advance of the seder, look through the Haggadah and make notes on what you might like to share with your guests and at what places you might want to pause.

Don’t just read the Haggadah; discuss it! Encourage your guests to ask questions and have some questions ready to ask, too. "What are the 10 things that plague us today?" or "If you were to rewrite Dayenu, what would you include or omit from the version in the Haggadah?" Ask the children what other questions they have about the seder and Passover above and beyond those in the "Mah Nishtanah?"

Everyone should have a turn to do something in the seder, but think in advance about which parts are appropriate for each guest. Asking a third-grader to read a difficult passage from the Haggadah simply because it’s her turn isn’t going to leave the youngster feeling too happy. Having something else more age-appropriate for her to do later will help her enjoy the seder much more. Perhaps people who cannot read well can lead in singing instead, or be called on to start a discussion or add a comment.

While the part of the Haggadah which follows the meal lacks the power of the earlier portion, the songs at the end of the seder are great fun to sing. If you don’t know the melodies, get a CD from Cantor Chomsky.  Call on the kids to be group leaders and finish the seder on a high note!