By: Samantha Cohen
We all have those days (in this case weeks) when there are a million things to do, especially with everything going on with Covid. Sometimes we don’t know how we’re going to get it all done. It’s easy to become overwhelmed & it’s totally normal to procrastinate & lose track of some loose ends. With Passover quickly approaching, you may find yourself feeling unprepared. Here are some tips to have a Seder as close to normal as we can get in 2021!
That’s So Kosher! Make a list of Seder guests attending and set up table placements in preparation for social distancing! If you & your family choose to host a virtual Seder, send the links to your guests ahead of time & do a quick test run altogether. Now to my favorite part. Food. Check out your local Kosher grocery or the international aisle at a chain. If you are hosting a Seder, make sure you pick up the essential items which make up the traditional Seder plate, shank bone, karpas, chazeret, charoset, maror, and egg. If going out in person is not an option, there are some websites where you can order pre-packaged Seder meals shipped right to your door.
Preparing for Seder is always a good excuse to do a spring cleaning of your home. This can also be a good way for you and your family to spend quality time together prepping for the holiday. If your schedule is as hectic as mine is, search for some Jewish-owned cleaning businesses to help assist. Let’s Get Reading! Haggadah is a staple of a traditional Passover Seder. You can piece together a special Haggadah for the occasion, scanning pages from a traditional Haggadah as well as finding relevant pieces to print from the internet. Assign readings ahead of time so everyone can come ready to participate! If you are hosting a virtual Seder, it doesn’t mean you can’t hide the Afikoman. Play a game of “20 questions’ or “hot and cold” with your young virtual attendees! Get ready for the lively chaos!
Although we are living through unprecedented times, we will always find a way to celebrate our liberation from slavery in Egypt and honor the traditions of Passover. We end the Seder by saying “Next year in Jerusalem, next year may all be free.” In lieu of the Pandemic Passover of 2021, let us add to that phrase by saying “Next year, may we gather together with friends and family”. This unconventional Passover is just the new normal. So, for now, let’s get creative and embrace the change.
3 Comments
Great reading! Thanks for the tips. Have a happy Passover yourself.
Great tips! I had the pleasure of attending 2 Seders this past weekend. Though they were unconventional (both were outside in South Florida…hot!) it felt great to sit around the table with a few loved ones to celebrate the holiday. We spent a great deal of time reminiscing about the marathon Seders we used to have while growing up in upstate New York. The intimate gatherings we had at out Seders Saturday and Sunday night was a far cry from the 30 or so adults and children we used to have crammed around the 3 tables wrapped around our dining and living rooms but we did nonetheless enjoy a glimpse of “normalcy” we haven’t had in a long time. I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ll all be back to live Seders next year and appreciate how much we missed them. Chag Sameach!
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Excellent. Loved all your creative ideas. And yes. Next year together with family.