Passover Celebration Described in This Celebration Kit Will Offer Elders Solace, Joy, and a Sense of Community

A Celebration of Liberation

Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism is dedicated to drawing upon Jewish tradition Mission Statement to enrich the lives of Jews as they age. Hiddur advances scholarship, trains rabbis, and, Sacred Seasons: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders is a response to the great through national programs and resources, empowers eld- spiritual challenges confronting older adults. Elders who face loss, isolation, ers and their caregivers across frailty, and mortality are particularly in need of spiritual solace. Ritual and the entire spectrum of the Jewish community through holiday observance offers elders—especially those living in residential facil- lifelong learning (Torah), spiri- ities—a vitally important context for creating meaning, strengthening tual and religious engage- social and religious connections, and obtaining support. Sacred Seasons ment (avodah), and contribution to community addresses the spiritual needs of Jewish elders by enabling them to celebrate (gemilut hasadim). Shabbat (the Sabbath), holidays, and other sacred occasions. The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Each Sacred Seasons celebration kit contains a complete program for a par- College is committed to the Jewish people, to Israel, to the Reconstruc- ticular holiday or holy time. These programs are adaptable for either frail tionist conception of Judaism as an or well elders. Sacred Seasons enables activities/recreation or social work evolving religious civilization, and to the advancement of universal staff, para-chaplains, chaplains, or volunteers to create a meaningful reli- freedom, justice and peace. The Col- gious and cultural experience for their facility’s Jewish elders. lege’s primary mission is to train rabbis, as well as other Jewish lead- Leaders can use this resource without any prior knowledge of Judaism or ers, to teach Torah in its broadest terms and provide Jewish leadership Jewish practice. By introducing Sacred Seasons to your setting, you can in congregations and in other roles bring joy and comfort to elders in your care. throughout the Jewish community. The College strengthens the Jewish community and broader society If you have any questions, please contact Hiddur: The Center through developing and dissemi- for Aging and Judaism at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College: nating new ideas, resources and training opportunities. • by e-mail at [email protected] • by telephone at 215-576-0800 The College supports the growth of • by fax at 215-576-6143. the Reconstructionist movement and the furtherance of its ideas and Please specify that you are seeking help regarding the Sacred Seasons project. ideals throughout the Jewish world.

The Passover celebration described in this celebration kit will offer elders solace, joy, and a sense of community. Even very impaired individuals will be able to feel a sense of wholeness as they participate in a Passover seder. This celebration kit includes everything you need to know to facilitate a meaningful Passover celebration: background on the holiday; detailed instructions for setting up and leading the celebration; a handout; music; recipes and resource lists to help you find the materials you'll need. The celebration kit also includes suggestions for other activities that you can do in any setting in preparation for Passover. You are entitled to reproduce any or all of the printed materials for unlimited use within your organization; the Participant Handout is especially designed to be reproduced for use during the celebration. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of Judaism or experience with Jewish ritual to create a Passover celebration. You do not need to know Hebrew or how to pronounce the words of the songs and blessings; you can use the CD to “lead” them (or to teach you the songs and blessings, if you like). All you really need is the desire to make a difference through facili- tating a beautiful spiritual experience for Jewish elders. We are pleased to make available this guide to the Passover celebration. Chag same'ach—happy holidays! Sincerely,

Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz Rabbi Dayle Friedman President Director Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism

SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Acknowledgments Sacred Seasons was created by D’vorah Lee bat-Hanina and supported by a grant We are grateful to Rabbi David Teutsch, former president of the Recon- from the Retirement structionist Rabbinical College. This project was greatly strengthened by Research Foundation. his comments and suggestions. Distribution of Sacred Seasons is supported by a We wish to express our thanks to authors, translators, adaptors, com- grant from the Gimprich posers, and other copyright holders for permission to include or quote Family Foundation. from works indicated below. Every effort has been made to identify copy- Writer right holders and obtain permission from them. Works are listed by title Rabbi Leah Frankel Wald in alphabetical order. Editor and Project Director Rabbi Deborah Waxman A Night of Questions. Edited by Rabbi Joy Levitt and Rabbi Michael Strassfeld. Elkins Park, PA: The Reconstructionist Press, 2000. Graphic Design Jonathan Kremer Designs CD for A Night of Questions Passover Haggadah, Produced by Rabbi Music Margot Stein. Music by Shabbbat Unplugged.* Engineered by Daoud Rabbi Margot Stein Shaw at RadioActive Productions (*All previously recorded songs recorded by permission, ©2000, The Reconstructionist Press. 1-877-JRF-PUBS Advisory Committee or www.jrf.org). Rabbi Linda Holtzman, chair Rabbi Dayle Friedman The Passover Anthology. Philip Goodman. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Rabbi Joel Alpert Rabbi Dan Aronson Society, 1961. Table of Contents

This celebration kit contains the following components: There is also a compact disk of songs and blessings that Leader Preparation can be used to lead the program and/or as a learning Background on Passover ...... L.1 tool for you to learn the blessings and the songs. Guidelines for the Program ...... L.3 Suggested Additional Programming Activities ...... L.7 Transliteration Key...... L.8 Pronunciation Guide ...... L.9 Resources ...... L.11 Calendar ...... L.14 Food ...... L.15 Program and Set Up The Program ...... P.1 Set Up ...... P.1 Annotated Leader’s Guide ...... P.5 Participant Handout Songs and Blessings ...... H.1-19

Leader Preparation Background on Passover

The Holiday Significance of Passover Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is one of the major festivals on the Jewish cal- • Historically—the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery endar and one of the most widely observed. Jews celebrate it each year in • Spiritually—redemption and the early spring, usually in April. Passover has historical, spiritual, and sea- freedom sonal meanings. Historically, Passover celebrates the deliverance of the • Seasonally—springtime, ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt as recounted in the biblical book rebirth, renewal of Exodus. Consequently, Passover highlights the spiritual themes of Key Elements redemption and freedom as Jews celebrate the liberation they were grant- of Observance ed and pray for freedom and redemption for all people. Finally, Passover is • Refrain from eating bread a spring harvest festival that rejoices in the rebirth and potential inherent and other leavened (yeast- based) products for seven in springtime. or eight days • Celebrate through a seder During Passover, many Jews refrain from eating any yeast-based products (religious meal) made from wheat, rye, barley, spelt, or oats. Unleavened matzah and products made from matzah meal or potato starch are eaten instead. Many Jews thoroughly clean their homes and switch to special dishes for the holiday. The traditions surrounding Passover food remind Jews of the haste in which their ancestors fled Egypt, leaving no time even for bread to rise. Passover lasts for seven or eight days. The first two and last two days of the holiday are days of abstention from work and Passover prayer services are held in synagogues. The main observance of the holiday, however, is the home-based seder, which is the basis of this program. The Seder The central observance of Passover is the seder, a home-based religious Definition service surrounding a meal, held usually on the first two nights of Passover. • Haggadah: a special prayer (The celebration is held in the evening because Jewish holidays begin at book telling the story of sundown.) During the seder, the story of Passover—the redemption of the Passover and explaining the festival meal Israelites from slavery—is told using a haggadah, a special prayer book, and symbolic foods are eaten. The readings, songs, and symbolic foods of the seder are intended to remind participants of: • the cruelty of slavery; • God's wondrous power in redeeming an enslaved people; • the gift of freedom; and L.1

• our responsibility to continue to work for freedom for all people. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. The seder encourages participants to feel as if they each personally were redeemed from slavery. It is a celebratory, joyous event, with a focus on family and, in particular, on making the story understandable to every person present, including children. The Meaning of a Seder in an Elder Care Facility This celebration kit contains information and materials you can use to cre- And you shall relate to ate a Passover seder for the Jewish elders with whom you work. A seder can your child on that day, connect an older Jewish person to Jewish traditions and spiritual meaning. saying, 'This is done A seder can also help an older person connect to the past through memo- because of what the ries of previous Passovers shared with parents, spouse, children, and Eternal did for me when friends. In addition, the seder can provide a vital feeling of community and I came out of Egypt.’ connection to Jews all over the world who also observe Passover. Finally, (Exodus 13:8) seder discussions can help participants acknowledge the freedoms and lim- itations in their own day-to-day lives. It is often the case that an older person has a long history of being the individual in the family who year after year cooked for, hosted, or led the seder. It can be a difficult transition for that person and his or her family when she or he is no longer able to fill that role. It can be another emotional transition if that person can no longer attend a private seder at a family home. Therefore, a Passover seder in your setting can be a bittersweet experience, but also a valuable support as families make adjustments and continue some of their traditions in new ways. Passover is unique among Jewish holy days in that its major observance, the seder, is in the home rather than the synagogue. As a result, the seder has many creative variations and is particularly oriented toward families and especially children. Passover is so meaningful that even some Jews who do not celebrate other holidays do celebrate Passover. Therefore, Passover can provide an excellent opportunity for your facility to involve elders' family members in the celebration. You may also want to establish rela- tionships with local Jewish youth groups, religious schools, synagogues and/or communal organizations and invite Jewish community groups or individuals to lead or assist with the seder. Because of the complexity of the seder, even in this simplified form, assistance from a knowledgeable Jew in the preparation and implementation of this program may be helpful. L.2

Preparation Planning is required to make the Passover seder a meaningful experience Practical Hints for your residents. You may want to plan a menu in advance with your • Avoid serving regular bread food service or food and nutrition department. At the very least, matzah or rolls at a seder • Serve matzah (unleavened should be served and bread not included in any celebration of Passover. (A bread), which is one of the sample menu, some recipes, and shopping web sites are included in the primary ritual foods of Resources section of this celebration kit.) You will need to buy or borrow Passover in advance some of the ritual objects used in the seder (for a list of objects, see The Program). You may also want to conduct pre-Passover activities (see Suggested Additional Programming Activities for ideas). To involve more people in leading the seder, you may assign parts in advance from the materials included here for elders or family members to read. In addition, participants may want to dress up, have their hair done, and arrange flowers for the tables on the day of the seder. If you know which family members are attending through RSVP instructions, you can determine in advance how they might like to participate (e.g., leading a blessing or reading or bringing some Passover ritual objects to show). If children are coming, there are parts of the service that are par- See the Annotated Leader's ticularly appropriate for them to conduct (for example, asking the Four Guide for explanations and Questions or looking for the afikomen). It is appropriate to have small gifts highlighted suggestions for (for example, Passover candy) to distribute to any children who come. child-focused rituals. In addition to dressing in clean, festive clothes, many participants may want to wear head coverings for the seder, as they would for other religious services. Some residents may insist on doing so. Covering one's head is seen as a sign of respect for God. Men traditionally wear a small skullcap, which is known as a kippah in Hebrew or a yarmulke in Yiddish. Some women may wear lace head coverings. Yarmulkes are modestly priced (a few dollars for a dozen) and can be ordered through catalogs (see Resources). Local synagogues may also donate some upon request.

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SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Timing and Length of the Program A seder is generally held on the first and, in some households, second Practical Hint evenings of Passover. (Passover begins in the evening, at sundown, at a • Adjust the timing according fixed date on the Jewish calendar, which is different from the secular cal- to the needs and abilities of participants. endar. See Resources for a listing of when Passover falls on the secular cal- • The length may range from endar from 2005 to 2010.) If this timing is not possible in your setting, a a half-hour to a couple seder could be held on the first day of Passover, or in the afternoon of the of hours. day preceding the first evening. Or, a seder could be held later during the For a listing of when Passover holiday. The seder is especially meaningful if it is held at mealtime, with a falls on the secular calendar meal served. and when you should schedule the seder, see Resources. A seder can go on for hours, with much discussion and singing! However, what is most important is that the length match the level of functioning, energy, and interest of your participants: a half-hour to an hour might be most appropriate, perhaps shorter or longer. Be flexible in adjusting the length of the program. The Role of the Program Leader The Annotated Leader's Guide includes a script for leading the seder, stage directions, and keys to the Participant Handout and accompanying CD. Also included for reference or to enable the leader to incorporate additional material is a key to a complete haggadah, A Night Of Questions (see Resources for purchase information). The leader may be an activities staff member, another staff member, a volunteer, a community member, a family member, or an able elder. Because this can be a complex ritual, even in this simplified form, you may want to select a Jew with some experience celebrating Passover to lead the seder. If there is no facilitator available who is familiar with the songs and prayers, you can play the CD included in this kit to “lead” the songs and blessings, or you can invite participants who know them to recite the blessings. All prayers can be read or sung in Hebrew or English. Keep in mind that the Hebrew language and traditional melodies may be an especially powerful means of connecting elders to memory and emotion.

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SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. The Options in Programming This celebration kit contains options to meet the needs of your setting and of participants at various levels of functioning. You can have the seder without a meal, or prior to a meal, or have the meal included in the program. Consider the attention spans of your participants, whether they will require much assistance with eating, and if they will enjoy holding the Participant Handout or find it a burden. Use your judgment as to when to pass out food and which foods to include if participants have trouble swallowing. The Room and Tables You will add to the beauty and meaning of the holiday if you decorate the room with tablecloths, attractive table settings, and flowers. Ideally, seating should be arranged so that the leader is visible to all. It may be helpful to plan a seating chart in advance, with family and friends sitting together and seats for any staff or volunteers who may be feeding or assisting others to eat. If you are planning a seating chart, remember that fewer wheel- chairs than chairs can usually fit around a table. You will need to set the tables for participants according to whether or not you are serving a full meal. For all of the programs, certain ritual items are needed on the head table for the seder leader. While the items are signifi- cant, be flexible! Most important is the fact that you are having the seder— don't let the absence of some items stop you from proceeding. (For more information, see The Program). Food for Passover and the Seder Food is an important aspect of Passover observance, particularly since the seder is an event oriented around food. It is traditional to eat certain foods on Passover (the most important is matzah), and there are others that are to be avoided (all products made with yeast, vinegar, baking soda, or any other leavening product). One major tradition of Passover is to avoid eating any leavened products made from any of the five grains of wheat, rye, barley, spelt, or oats. This is based on a prohibition from the biblical book of Exodus (12:17-19). Grain-based Passover food (like matzah) has been made from grain care- fully guarded from the time of harvest and kept from contact with moisture, which would have begun the leavening process. In many communi- L.5 ties, other foods, such as beans and other legumes, are avoided as well. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Processed, store-bought foods that are allowable on Passover are marked Practical Hint with special symbols such as , with a small “p” next to it. Today, there are Many Jews who do not strictly follow all of the kosher-for- many processed foods for Passover, such as cake mixes that are made from Passover food prohibitions still potato starch or matzah meal (made from flour protected from moisture avoid eating bread or crackers so it stays unleavened). on Passover and eat matzah instead. Matzah is an impor- Even if you do not make any other special food arrangements, it is important symbolic food during the tant during your seder not to serve bread or crackers, as some people would seder and can be eaten throughout the holiday. find this to be contrary to the meaning of the holiday and could take offense. Generally, plain matzah is preferable for the seder. However, people with health or digestive problems—including many of the elderly—are permitted to eat egg matzah, which is less constipating. Because matzah can be constipating, you may want to serve prunes or other dried fruit during the holiday. Another symbolic and beloved food eaten during the seder is charoset, a See Resources for information on purchasing Passover foods, dish made of apples, nuts, and wine. To accommodate dietary needs, it is and see Recipes for preparing possible to substitute grape juice for wine and dried fruit for nuts in this them. dish (see Recipes). Grape juice can also be drunk instead of wine during the seder. A bitter herb, such as horseradish, is also part of the seder service; it serves to recall the bitterness of slavery. As this can be extremely bitter, persons who may be confused or who lack appropriate judgment should be helped to eat an amount small enough to be manageable. For these persons, commercial- ly prepared horseradish is recommended over raw or freshly ground horseradish, and red horseradish (colored with beet juice) is milder than white.

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The following are ideas for activities you can do with elders in preparing for Passover. Just as preparing for any holiday can add to its meaning, so, too, activities in your setting can add to the elders' anticipation and pleas- ure in the Passover seder. All of these activities can be offered in collabora- tion with local synagogues, youth groups, or school groups.

• Cooking—Matzah brei (fried matzah), matzah ball soup, and charoset (delicious mixture of nuts, apples, and wine or grape juice, symbolic of the mortar the Israelites were forced to make in slavery) are all favorite foods of the Passover season. Preparing them can be enjoyable and meaningful for elders, and can bring back joyous memories. There are mixes available for matzah ball soup. (See also Recipes.) • Crafts—Seder plates, matzah covers, and pillows to recline on are all items used in the seder and can be made during the weeks leading up to the holiday. In addition, ceramic cups for use as kiddush cups can be found at “paint your own” ceramic shops. See the Resources section for craft books that provide easy and interesting projects. • Cleaning/getting rid of chametz (leavened products)—Traditionally, the weeks and days leading up to Passover are a time for cleaning and getting rid of any leavened products not eaten on Passover. Some elders may find it meaningful to participate in cleaning, especially if they can clean a cooking area used for activities or therapeutic recreation. • Film—The film “Gefilte Fish” illustrates the changes in tradition from generation to generation. One generation brought home a fish to prepare a favorite dish for the holiday. The current generation buys it in a jar! (See the Resources section for information on how to locate this 15-minute film.) • Preparing parts to read/lead—Participants may enjoy feeling involved and empowered by having a part to practice in advance and then read during the seder. • Arranging flowers for the seder tables. L.7

SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual • Dressing up for the seder. Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Transliteration Key

If you are unfamiliar with Hebrew, this key will explain how the various sounds of Hebrew, transliterated into English characters, are pronounced. Put on the CD, beginning with the first track, and follow along in the leader’s manual. In addition to familiarizing you with the program, this will help you to learn the pronunciation of the prayers, blessing and songs. Remember, you do not have to know how to pronounce the Hebrew songs and blessings to lead the celebration; you can use the CD for this purpose. Consonants

(not pronounced) l b m v n g (as in “go”) s d (not pronounced) h p v f z (as in “Zion”) tz (as in “mitzvah”) ch (as in “chanukah”) k t r y sh k s ch (as in “baruch” t or “chanukah”)

Vowels Dipthongs and Glides e (as in “bed”) ey (as in “they”) a (as in “are”) ay (as in “bayou”) • ut •t o (as in “store”) uwi (u+i, pronounced u (as in “put”) rapidly together) i (as in “sit”) oy (as in “toy”) L.8

Hebrew is an ancient language that has its roots in the earliest written alphabets. It developed prior to Latin, which is the alphabet and language on which all Romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian) and much of English is based. In Hebrew, consonants are the primary ways that meaning is communicated; vowels are not letters themselves, but appear above, below or in the middle of consonants. If you have some familiarity with Hebrew, you may lead from the Hebrew text that is included in all of the materials. You may also be aided in your efforts by the transliterations (Hebrew transliterated into English characters) that are provided. A transliteration key appears above to offer an introduction and general assistance. If you have little or no familiarity with Hebrew, here are some guidelines for reading the transliteration without reference to the Hebrew. Remember, you do not need to know how to pronounce the Hebrew songs and blessings to lead this celebration; you can use the CD for this purpose. Hebrew Letters and Sounds that Do Not Appear in English There are a few letters in Hebrew that have no exact correspondence with English letters or sounds. The most common sound (which actually aris- es from two different letters) is transliterated in this celebration kit as “ch.” This is pronounced differently from the English pronunciation in “church.” The sound is made by making a gutteral sound in the center of the throat, similar to the way that Germans pronounce “ch” in such words as achtung or the name Bach. If the “ch” appears at the beginning of the word (as in Chanukkah), some people pronounce it as if it is an “h” (this is the reason for the occasional spelling of Hanukkah). If the “ch” appears at the end of the word (as in baruch, meaning “blessed,” which appears in most Hebrew prayers), it is important to enunciate it somehow so that people know that you have finished saying the word. People sometimes make a “k” sound when trying to make this sound; this occurs because they close their throats at the top. If this happens to you, try narrowing your throat in the middle (as if you are clearing a tickle), breathe out, and give the breath some sound. There is also a letter that sounds like “tz,” as in the old Russian ruler, the tzar. The sound is familiar to us from English (as in the ending sound in L.9

“concerts”), though we make it by putting two letters together. Because it SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: is a separate letter in Hebrew, it sometimes begins a word, which may look The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. unfamiliar to English speakers when it is transliterated. © 2005. All rights reserved. There are a few letters in Hebrew that have no sound; they are pronounced only when they have a vowel attached. This means that it is possible to have two vowel sounds next to one another, which is a combination that does not happen often in regular modern English (think of the old phrase “ne’er-do-well,” or a character actor drawing out the phrase “he’s ve-e-ery tricky”). These instances are usually indicated either by an apostrophe (as in “ne’er”) or a hyphen (as in “ve-e-ery”). To pronounce them, just give a slight pause and then go on. English Sounds that Do Not Appear in Hebrew There are certain sounds that are not used in Hebrew. The most common is the “a” sound as it is pronounced in the word “gas” or “has.” If you see an “a” on its own, it is almost always pronounced as the “a” sound in “are” or “cardinal.” There is no “w” in Hebrew. This means there is no unique “w” sound to begin a word. There is also no sound like the long “o” sound in “show” (which is how many Americans pronounce many “o” sounds, even those without an actual “w” on the end). Interesting Facts There are three letters in Hebrew that are pronounced differently depending on their punctuation. These are B/V, P/F, Ch/K. This difference in pronunciation does not change their meaning. Don’t be surprised (or assume a typographical error) if you see two words or phrases that appear almost identical except for one letter; trust the transliteration. A Few Words about Pronunciation In the American Jewish community, there are two different systems of Hebrew pronunciation. This celebration kit uses the Sephardi pronunciation because it is the standard adopted by the liberal Jewish community in America. There is a preference in the Sephardi pronunciation of Hebrew for the stress to usually fall on the last syllable of a word. (Usually, English favors stressing the first syllable of a word.) The other mode is Ashkenazi, or Eastern European Hebrew, which is likely to be the ethnic background of the great majority of Jewish elders. Ashkenazi pronunciation differs from Sephardi in that many “t” sounds are pronounced as “s,” and some “a” (as in “are”) sounds are often pronounced as “o” (as in “home”). Different syllables are occasionally accented than in the Sephardi pronunciation. L.10 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. One of the most common differences in pronunciations is the Hebrew name of God. Sephardi pronunciation is “Adonay,” with a sound like “sky” at the end. Ashkenazi pronunciation is “Adonoy,” with a sound like “toy” at the end. Both modes of pronunciation are correct. Either way the blessings are pronounced, participants will recognize the Hebrew used in this program and the songs and blessings on the CD. Resources

For More Information on this Project Contact Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College • by e-mail at [email protected] • by telephone at 215-576-0800 • by fax at 215-576-6143. Books “Pesach—Feasting for Freedom.” Michael Strassfeld. The Jewish Holidays: A Guide and Commentary. New York: Harper & Row, 1985. This article discusses themes of the holiday, Passover kashrut (dietary regulations), and the seder. The Passover Anthology. Philip Goodman. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1961. The volume discusses the origins of Passover, customs of the holiday, Passover in literature and music, and provides recipes. Jewish Holiday Style. Rita Milos Brownstein. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1999. This book contains ideas for crafts projects and recipes relating to Passover. Jewish Family Celebrations: The Sabbath, Festivals, and Ceremonies. Arlene Rossen Cardozo. New York: St. Martins Press, 1982. This book contains sections on each holiday, with explanations, songs with music, and recipes. The Passover chapter includes information on conducting a seder. L.11

SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. The Jewish Holiday Kitchen. Joan Nathan. New York: Schocken Books, 1988. This is a cookbook containing information on Jewish cooking and recipes for the Sabbath and holidays throughout the year. These publishers may also have other titles: • Behrman House, www.behrmanhouse.com, 1-800-221-2755 • Torah Aura Productions, www.torahaura.com, 1-800-238-6724 • Kar-Ben Copies, Inc., www.kar-ben.com, 1-800-452-7236 • A.R.E. Publishing, Inc., www.arepublish.com, 1-800-346-7779

Haggadot A haggadah is a book containing the seder service. If you want to plan a full- scale seder, hundreds of haggadot are available, and a few are listed below. A Night of Questions. Rabbi Joy Levitt and Rabbi Michael Strassfeld. Elkins Park, PA: The Reconstructionist Press, 2000. An accompanying CD is available. Ordering information is below, under Music.

A Family Haggadah. Shoshana Silberman. Rockville, MD: Kar-Ben Copies, Inc. 1987. This haggadah is geared for families with young children and may contain ideas for you to use if many families and children are joining your seder. An accompanying cassette is available. (See above for ordering information.) On Wings of Freedom: The Hillel Haggadah for the Nights of Passover. Rabbi Richard N. Levy. Hoboken, NJ: Ktav Publishing House, 1989.

Passover Haggadah: The Feast of Freedom. Rachel Anne Rabinowicz. Rabbinical Assembly. 1982. Music Playing music for Passover as participants gather to begin the seder or as they eat may help to create a festive mood. You can play songs from the accompanying CD, or you can purchase additional CDs or cassettes. A suggested CD or cassette title is the one that accompanies A Night of Questions Passover Haggadah. It can be obtained by contacting the L.12 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Reconstructionist Press, 215-782-8500, or 877-JRFPUBS, or www.jrf.org. Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Another excellent resource for Jewish music is Tara Publications, www.jewishmusic.com, 1-800-827-2400. Film “Gefilte Fish” is an excellent 15-minute film about preparing and eating gefilte fish over three generations. The elders made this delicacy by hand, while the younger generation buys it in a jar. By Karen Silverstein. Order from Ergo Media, PO Box 2037, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Catalog # 370. www.jewishvideo.com. Community Resources Local Jewish organizations may be a resource in terms of answering questions, providing volunteers, locating appropriate ritual objects, and sug- gesting books and programs. The yellow pages of your local phone directo- ry may be a good place to start (look under “Synagogues” or, in the “Social Service Organizations” section, check under “Jewish.”) You may also contact the local Jewish federation, the Board of Rabbis, and local synagogues. Purchasing Ritual Items The seder program includes the use of ritual items, such as candlestick holders, kiddush (wine) cups, matzah covers, seder plates, and yarmulkes (skull caps). Some sources for purchasing ritual items are listed below. • The local Jewish federation (see above) can provide assistance in locating these items. • A local Jewish bookstore or synagogue gift shop may carry these items or help you order them. • Items may also be purchased through catalog companies, many of which also have web sites. Some recommendations include:

– J. Levine Judaica, www.levinejudaica.com, 1-800-553-9474 – Hamakor Judaica: The Source for Everything Jewish, www.jewishsource.com, 1-800-476-2388 – www.judaism.com, 1-800-JUDAISM

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Passover is celebrated every year on the same date on the Jewish calendar. Because the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar and has 28-day months, that means holidays happen every year on different dates than the secular (Gregorian) calendar, which is a solar calendar. Jewish holidays begin at sundown (similar to a Christmas eve celebration before Christmas day). This is why the seder for the first day is held on the evening before the first day. Here is a listing of the dates when Passover will be celebrated through 2010: First evening First day Second Second day Last day seder evening (always held) seder (optional) 2005 April 23 April 24 April 24 April 25 May 1 2006 April 12 April 13 April 13 April 14 April 20 2007 April 2 April 3 April 3 April 4 April 10 2008 April 19 April 20 April 20 April 21 April 27 2009 April 8 April 9 April 9 April 10 April 16 2010 March 29 March 30 March 30 March 31 April 6

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Kosher-for-Passover processed foods will be labeled with a symbol, with a small “p” next to it. Several companies manufacture large numbers of kosher-for-Passover food items, including Goodman's, Streit's, and Manischewitz. Manischewitz has a web site at www.manischewitz.com that lists locations throughout the country where their products can be purchased, as well as Passover recipes and other information. www.koshersupermarket.com is a web site for ordering kosher food online. A few of the main Passover foods that you might want to specially purchase are: • Matzah—Eaten instead of bread on Passover, it can be purchased in many supermarkets or ordered online. Matzah can be constipating, so it may be helpful to serve prunes throughout the holiday. Plain matzah is preferable for the seder; however, for health considerations, egg matzah is an option. • Kosher wine or grape juice—Look on the label for the symbol, with a small “p” next to it, indicating kosher for Passover. To locate kosher wine, ask for assistance at your local liquor store. Kosher grape juice may be located in the ethnic foods/kosher section of supermarkets. • Matzah ball soup—Literally, chicken soup with matzah balls floating in it; a beloved menu item for the holiday. It can be made from scratch or from mixes (see Recipes). • Charoset—Another beloved menu item and a ritual food for the seder, charoset is made from apples, nuts, and wine (see Recipes). For those with dietary restrictions, grape juice can be substituted for wine, and dried fruit for nuts.

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• individual seder plate with symbolic foods, gefilte fish, halved hard-boiled egg (see Individual Seder Plates in the Program section of celebration kit); • matzah; • matzah ball soup; • chicken, matzah kugel or potato kugel, vegetables; and • sponge cake, fruit, meringues.

Recipes

Charoset* Ingredients: * For health reasons, grape 2 apples juice can be substituted 1 teaspoon ginger for wine, and dried fruit 1/4 cup shelled almonds for nuts. 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup shelled walnuts 1/4 cup sweet wine 1/2 cup raisins Directions: 1. Quarter and core the apples. 2. Grind the apples, raisins and nuts, and then add the ginger and cinnamon. 3. Blend in the wine. The above quantities allow enough for 12 portions. The finished charoset will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.

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Directions: 1. Beat the egg yolks well; add the sugar and beat until lemon-colored. 2. Add the ground almonds and mix thoroughly. 3. Chill for easy handling. 4. Take small pieces of the mixture and shape into small balls. 5. Place the macaroons on a greased baking sheet. 6. Top with half an almond, if desired. 7. Bake in pre-heated 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. Makes 50 macaroons.

Kneidlach (Matzah Balls) Ingredients: 4 eggs 6 tablespoons chicken or other fat 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (optional) 1/2 cup soup stock or water 1 cup matzah meal Directions: 1. Beat the eggs with the salt, cinnamon, pepper, and chicken fat. 2. Add the matzah meal and the soup or water. Mix thoroughly. 3. Cover and allow the mixture to stand in the refrigerator for one hour or more. 4. Bring four quarts of water to a boil. 5. Shape the mixture into golf-ball sized balls and drop in boiling water. Cook covered for half an hour. Balls are then ready to be added to soup. Twelve large matzah balls can be made with these ingredients. L.17

SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Sponge Cake Ingredients: 6 eggs, separated 1/4 cup orange juice 3/4 cups sugar grated peel of 1 lemon 1/2 cup matzah cake meal 2 tablespoons potato flour Directions: 1. Beat the egg yolks; add sugar and beat until lemon-colored. 2. Sift together cake meal and potato flour. 3. Add the lemon peel and orange juice and the cake meal and potato flour mixture. 4. Beat the egg whites until stiff and add them to the egg yolk mixture, folding gently. 5. Pour into a round, ungreased cake pan. 6. Bake for 45 minutes in a pre-heated 350-degree oven.

Matzah Brei (Fried Matzah) Ingredients: 4 sheets of matzah 11/2 teaspoons salt 4 eggs butter or shortening

Directions: 1. Soak the sheets of matzah in water just enough to soften them and tear into bite-sized pieces. 2. Break the eggs in a bowl and beat with the salt. Add the soaked matzah pieces. 3. Heat the butter or shortening in a frying pan over a moderate flame. 4. Pour the mixture into pan and fry until golden on underside, turn over with a spatula and fry on the other side. Serve with sugar and cinnamon. Four servings. For a savory version, omit the salt and sugar, add fried onions, and serve with salt and pepper. L.18

Directions: 1. Beat the egg whites until frothy. 2. Add the sugar and beat until stiff. 3. Fold in the coconut and walnuts. 4. Drop by teaspoon on baking sheet covered with wax paper. 5. Bake for 30 minutes in a pre-heated 300-degree oven. 6. Remove from oven. Let stand a few minutes before removing from baking sheet. Makes 60 meringues.

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Options The program contains three options: A. a seder including a meal; B. a seder without a meal (this option would still include ritual foods); C. a seder followed by a meal. If no meal is served with the seder, it may be possible to give a sense of the spirit of the meal by serving matzah ball soup, a beloved item in Passover menus (see Recipes). The options are spelled out in the Annotated Leader's Guide. Choose whichever option best meets the needs of the participants. The Room Whether or not you plan the seder with a full meal, there are ceremonial foods that are part of the ceremony, and the program should be held in the dining hall, with participants gathered around tables. The Leader The program will probably be most successful if the leader uses a microphone. A wireless microphone is preferable so that the leader can walk around the room and make one-to-one contact with participants throughout the seder. This contact is especially helpful with participants who have cognitive impairments that hinder their ability to focus on or understand the seder.

Set Up

On Every Table The following items are traditionally placed on every table for the seder: • Carafes or bottles of wine or grape juice. • Several pieces of matzah on a plate (one to two pieces for each participant). • Small bowls of salt water for dipping vegetables as part of the ceremo- P.1

ny (one bowl for every three to four people). SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the • Flowers (optional). Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. • Place-settings with utensils and napkins. • Additional quantities of charoset, karpas, or appetizers (see Individual Seder Plates). The Leader's Table If you can't find an item, please improvise! The following items should also be placed at the leader's table: An unmarked plate can be used instead of a ceremonial • Ceremonial seder plate for the leader's table—This is a decorated seder plate. Regular cups can plate with designated spaces for each of several symbolic foods, which substitute for kiddush cups if you should also prepare. (Participants or local synagogues may have a necessary. If you lack candlesticks, melt the candles direct- seder plate to loan; inexpensive ones can be purchased; or, if necessary, ly onto aluminum foil. the foods can be placed on an ordinary serving platter.) The symbolic foods are: — Beytzah: a roasted egg; — Karpas: a handful of chopped parsley or celery; — Zeroa: a roasted bone (for example, the bone of a lamb chop or a chicken leg); — Charoset: a dish made of chopped apples, nuts, and wine (see Recipes); — Maror: a small amount of a “bitter” herb such as horseradish; and — Optional (not pictured on all seder plates): Chazeret—a second “bitter” herb, which can be a small serving of romaine lettuce or a radish. • Candles—Have on hand a pair of candlesticks and two Shabbat candles (white tapers, about four inches tall) or any other candles, and matches OR electric candelabrum with two lights. • Wine cups (two)—The cup of Elijah is on the table for ceremonial purposes. It should be filled with wine or juice, but no one will drink from it. The second cup will be actively used. Ceremonial wine cups are usually decorated, but ordinary cups may be used. • Extra napkin hiding a piece of matzah as part of the ceremony. • Gifts for any children present (for example, candies). • Pillow for reclining (placed on leader's chair). P.2 • Matzah cover—cloth bag with separate compartments for pieces of SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: matzah. (Matzah placed inside a folded napkin can serve as a substitute.) The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Individual Seder Plates Whether or not a full meal is included as part of the program, there are foods that are eaten as part of the ritual. Each participant, including the leader, should have an individual plate specially prepared for the ritual part of the program on which are placed some of the symbolic foods of the seder as well as light appetizers. If possible, the individual seder plates should be at each place setting when participants first sit down. However, if individuals need assistance in order to eat safely, or if the presence of food is too distracting, you may wish to have the individual seder plates placed on the tables toward the end of the seder. Each individual seder plate would usually include the following components. You may need to make adjustments based on the dietary needs of your participants. Ritual Foods • Karpas—a small handful of parsley or a few pieces of celery (the size of garnish) • Charoset—chopped apples, nuts, and wine (see Recipes) • Maror—small amount of bitter herb such as horseradish or romaine lettuce Appetizers • half of a hard boiled egg • a piece of gefilte fish (available for purchase in stores) • a layer of lettuce lining the plate (optional) The Afikomen Once you have assembled all of the many materials, the ritual part of the meal can proceed by following the Annotated Leader's Guide, reading aloud the explanatory readings, playing the CD at designated times, and following the instructions to recite blessings and eat the foods. However, one beloved part of the ceremony does require a little advance planning and sleight of hand. After the blessing of the unleavened bread, a piece of matzah is broken, and part of it, called the afikomen, is wrapped in a napkin and hidden away P.3 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual somewhere in the room until the end of the meal (see the Annotated Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Leader's Guide). Traditionally, the meal cannot be completed until this Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. hidden piece is found and consumed for dessert. A highlight of the seder is the children's search for the afikomen. When they find the afikomen, the children either receive or barter for a gift in exchange for returning the piece of matzah. There are several options for handling this part of the seder in your facility: • If a child or children are present (perhaps grandchildren or great-grandchildren of elders), those children can be asked to search for the afikomen. They should receive a small gift (such as Passover sweets) after searching and finding the afikomen. • The participants as a group could decide where to hide the afikomen, and have the seder leader look for it. (The participants could participate in the hunt by calling out “Warm!” or “Cold!” when the searcher is closer or farther from the hiding place.) • The leader could hide the afikomen, and a participant identified in advance could look for it. • The leader could hide the afikomen and participants could all “search” by trying to guess the hiding place and calling out guesses from their seats. • You could be creative and invent your own afikomen search.

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I. Welcome The leader should welcome everyone by wishing the group a joyous festival—“A Happy Passover” (English), “Gut Yontif” (Yiddish), or “Chag Same’ach” (Hebrew).

Leader: Chag same’ach, Gut Yontif, happy Passover, everyone. It is a joy to have us all together to join in this seder to celebrate freedom. This evening, we will be sharing the story of Passover and some blessings, songs, and food as we remember our people’s history in Egypt.

II. Candle and Wine Blessings The Jewish Sabbath and holy days generally begin with blessings recited over candles and wine. Participants are likely to be familiar with these blessings and may enjoy leading or reciting them along with the leader or the CD.

Candles II. Participant Handout #1A Light the candles first (invite participants to light them, or light CD Track #1 them yourself), then bless the candles by reciting or singing the bless- A Night of Questions, Page 24 ings or playing the CD.

Leader: We begin with a series of blessings as we welcome the festival of Passover. First, we light candles to mark the beginning of the holiday.

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel yom tov.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot, and commanded us to kindle the Passover lights. P.5 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. If the seder is being held on a Friday evening, which is also the beginning of II. Participant Handout #1B Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, substitute the following candle blessing instead CD Track #2 A Night of Questions, of the blessing above. This blessing is for the Sabbath and Passover. Page 24

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel shabbat veyom tov.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Passover lights.

Shehecheyanu Leader: We join together also to recite the Shehecheyanu prayer, as we II. Participant Handout #1C CD Track #3 thank God for bringing us to this season. A Night of Questions, Page 25

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam shehecheyanu vekiyemanu vehigi’anu lazeman hazeh.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who gave us life, and kept us strong, and brought us to this time.

Blessing over Wine II. Participant Handout #1D The blessing over wine or grape juice is first recited and then the wine is CD Track #4 sipped. The person leading the blessing uses the ritual kiddush cup (if avail- A Night of Questions, Page 32 able), while everyone else can use small, disposable cups. The cups are held up while the blessing is recited or sung.

Leader: Please join together to recite the blessing over the wine, symbol of joy.

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam borey peri hagafen.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. P.6 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Participants drink wine or grape juice. Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. III. Karpas—Dipping the Vegetable The blessing is recited, and then the vegetable is dipped in salt water and III. Participant Handout #2 eaten. The blessing can be recited in both Hebrew and English, or either CD Track #5 A Night of Questions, Hebrew or English, depending on what works best for your community. Pages 36-37 The reading below can also be read by a participant. Leader: Karpas represents spring and new growth, rebirth and the beginning of new life. We taste in this fresh vegetable all the potential in nature and in ourselves. Tonight we celebrate our growth, the flowering of our spirit and of our voices. We do not taste the vegetable alone. We dip it into salt water, recalling the tears our ancestors shed during their long years in slavery. We mix bitterness with sweetness, slavery with freedom, past with future. We live with the contrasts because we know that no moment exists without a multitude of combinations—sorrow and joy, pain and comfort, despair and hope. (from A Night of Questions)

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam borey peri ha’adamah. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, creator of the fruit of the earth. Participants dip vegetable in salt water and eat. IV. Yachatz—Breaking the Matzah Leader: We eat matzah, unleavened bread, to remind us of how quickly our ancestors fled Egypt once they were redeemed, not even taking time for bread to rise. In a moment, I will break the middle matzah, part of which will be saved for the afikomen, to be kept for eating later. There are various interpretations for the silent breaking of the matzah, which does not have a blessing. Each of us has our own private Egypt, in which we are held. For some, this is injury or illness; for some, it is grief; for some, it is the need to make changes that are difficult to make. As I break the middle matzah and set some of it aside, let us pause for a moment of silent reflection and prayer. May we each be grant- ed comfort, courage, and strength. May we each be helped to overcome what we can change, and accept what we must accept. Remove the middle matzah from the matzah cover or napkin, break it in two, replace the smaller half between the two other full matzah pieces. Take the P.7

larger piece, wrap it in a napkin, and set it aside—this will be the afikomen, SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: which will be hidden (by you or someone you choose) and then found as part The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. of the conclusion of the meal (see The Afikomen in Program and Set Up). © 2005. All rights reserved. V. Four Questions The Four Questions are an integral part of the seder. They are traditionally sung or recited in Hebrew (and also in English) by the youngest member present. If children are present in the room, you may want to invite them to read or sing the questions in whatever language they wish. If no children are present, there are several options: • If this has been arranged in advance and it can be done comfortably, you IV. Participant Handout #3 may want to ask the youngest or oldest participant present to ask the ques- CD Track #6 tions in Hebrew or English. A Night of Questions, Page 43 • A guest might recite them. • The group might sing them in unison (possibly together with the CD). • If the questions are recited in English, the group may find it very meaningful to have them repeated in Hebrew. Leader: The unusual events and symbols of the Passover seder raise many questions. In particular, four are asked every year, traditionally by the youngest person present. It is said that the seder cannot proceed without these questions being asked. Today, we invite _____ to sing/ recite/lead us in the questions.

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SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Mah nishtanah halaylah hazeh mikol haleylot. Shebechol haleylot anu ochlin chametz umatzah halaylah hazeh kulo matzah. Shebechol haleylot anu ochlin she’ar yerakot halaylah hazeh maror. Shebechol haleylot eyn anu matbilin afilu pa’am echat halaylah hazeh shetey fe’amim. Shebechol haleylot anu ochlin beyn yoshvin uveyn mesubin halaylah hazeh kulanu mesubin. Why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights, we eat leavened bread or matzah; on this night, we eat only matzah. On all other nights, we eat various kinds of vegetables; on this night, we eat maror, a bitter vegetable. On all other nights, we do not dip even once; on this night, we dip twice. On all other nights, we eat either sitting up or reclining; on this night, we all recline.

VI. The Four Children Leader and Participants: Tradition teaches that there are four types of children who need to learn the story of the Exodus and the traditions of the seder. These are the wise child, the wicked child, the simple child, and the child who does not know VI. Participant Handout #4 A Night of Questions, enough to ask a question. Yet we know that no child, no person, is com- Pages 49-51 pletely wise or wicked, always simple, or never with a question. These qualities are aspects of all of us at various times. We bring our full selves, with all our complexity, to the seder this evening to experience redemption. VII. Participant Handout #5 VII. The Story A Night of Questions, The questions are answered in the seder in a roundabout, indirect way, Pages 52-59 through stories and discussion. The core of the story of the Exodus from Egypt is told in Deuteronomy 26:5-8, which can be read aloud by you or a participant. P.9

SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. Leader: We find the story answering these questions in Deuteronomy: My father was a wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt with meager numbers and lived there, but there he became a great and very populous nation. The Egyptians dealt harshly with us and oppressed us; they imposed heavy labor upon us. We cried to the Eternal One, the God of our ancestors, who heard our plea and saw our plight, our misery, and our oppression. Then the Eternal One freed us from Egypt by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm and awesome power, and by signs and portents. [Deuteronomy 26:5-8, from A Night of Questions (revised)]

VIII. The Ten Plagues VIII. Participant Handout #6 The Bible lists ten plagues endured by the Egyptians until Pharoah allowed CD Track #7 A Night of Questions, the Hebrews to leave. During the seder, each of these plagues is mentioned, Page 61 and for each one, a drop of wine is taken from participants’ wine (or grape juice) cups. This is because wine represents joy, and the joy over the Hebrews’ freedom is diminished by the knowledge that the Egyptian people suffered. The drops of wine can be removed by spoon or by dipping a finger into the wine glass and placing drops onto one’s plate. The plagues can be read aloud in Hebrew or English by you or a participant, or you can play the CD.

Leader: Our joy today is tempered by the knowledge that the Egyptians suffered while the Israelites struggled for freedom. No joy or freedom will be complete until all people can be included. Since wine represents joy, we show that our joy is diminished by the suffering of others by removing a drop of wine or juice from our cups as each plague is named.

Blood Dam Frogs Tzefarde’a Lice Kinim Beasts Arov Cattle Disease Dever Boils Shechin Hail Barad Locusts Arbeh Darkness Choshech P.10 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Slaying of the Firstborn Makat Bechorot Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. IX. Dayenu—It Would Have Been Enough One of the most beloved and well known songs of Passover is Dayenu, which IX. Participant Handout #7 means “It would have been enough.” It contains many verses, three of which CD Track #8 A Night of Questions, are included here. Pages 69-70 Leader: If God had only brought us out of Egypt, it would have been enough. But God also brought us through the wilderness. If God had only brought us through the wilderness, it would have been enough, but God also gave us Shabbat. If God had only done those things, it would have been enough, but God also gave us Torah. Dayenu!

Ilu hotzi hotzianu hotzianu mimitzrayim hotzianu mimitzrayim dayenu Day, dayenu (3x) dayenu dayenu Ilu natan natan lanu natan lanu et hashabbat natan lanu et hashabbat dayenu Day, dayenu (3x) dayenu dayenu Ilu natan natan lanu natan lanu et hatorah natan lanu et hatorah dayenu Day, dayenu (3x) dayenu dayenu X. Matzah—Blessing Over the Unleavened Bread X. Participant Handout #8A CD Track #9 Leader: Today, we recite two blessings—the motzi, the blessing always A Night of Questions, recited over bread, and a blessing for the commandment to eat matzah, Page 81 unleavened bread. The leader should lift three pieces of matzah (possibly taking them out of the matzah cover) and lead the following blessings. Both blessings are recited first, and then a small piece of matzah is broken off and eaten.

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam P.11 hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. who brings forth bread from the earth. © 2005. All rights reserved. X. Participant Handout #8B CD Track #10 A Night of Questions, Page 81 Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al achilat matzah.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to eat matzah.

Participants now take a moment to eat some matzah from the plates of matzah on their tables.

XI. Maror—Eating the Bitter Herbs XI. Participant Handout #9 Staff, volunteers, and visitors can help participants to mix small amounts CD track # 11 of maror with charoset to sweeten it. A Night of Questions, Page 83 Leader: Maror, the bitter herb, reminds us of the bitterness of slavery. Charoset, a mixture of apples and nuts, reminds us of the mortar we were forced to make as slaves. But its sweetness also offsets the bitterness of the maror. We dip some maror in the charoset and recite together:

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al achilat maror.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to eat maror.

Participants taste the maror and charoset.

Leader: Remembering the Passover sacrifices in the Temple in Jerusalem, we follow the practice of Hillel. When the Temple was still standing, Hillel would make a sandwich with matzah and maror and eat it, to fulfill the verse, “They shall eat it with matzah and maror.” (Numbers 9:11)

Staff, volunteers, and visitors can help participants make very small finger sandwiches of matzah and small amounts of maror. P.12 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. XII. Eating Participants should now be invited to eat from all the food on their individual seder plates. If you are serving matzah ball soup, serve it now. Additional wine or grape juice should be offered. You may wish to play a tape or CD of Jewish music for participants to enjoy as they are eating. (One option is to set tracks 12-16 on the accompanying CD on continuous play.) This is a good time to hide the afikomen, the small piece of matzah broken off earlier in the program (see The Afikomen in Program for ideas on how to hide and to find this piece). Next steps: A. Seder including a meal—Serve the individual seder plates, soup, and meal now, then continue with the Afikomen (XIII), Blessing after the Meal (XIV), Elijah (XV), and Singing (XVI), or just the Afikomen (XIII). B. Seder without a meal—Serve the individual seder plates and, if possible, soup, then continue with Afikomen (XIII), Elijah (XV), and Singing (XVI). C. Seder followed by a meal—Continue now with Afikomen (XIII), Elijah (XV) and Singing (XVI), then serve the meal.

XIII. Afikomen The hidden piece of matzah is searched for (by children present, by participants, or by the seder leader—see The Afikomen in Program for ideas). When the afikomen is returned: Leader: Year after year, we hide the afikomen. How much like life the afikomen search is, for year after year in our lives, there are always more questions, more answers to search for.

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SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. XIV. Blessing After the Meal XIV. Participant Handout #10 CD Track #12 Skip this blessing if the meal will be served upon the conclusion of the seder. A Night of Questions, Following the meal, the leader should continue with the blessing after the meal: Pages 92-97

Leader: We praise You, Holy One our God, Ruler of the universe, who has given us freedom, provided food for us and for the world, and enabled us to gather together for this seder. We praise You, Holy One our God, creator of life and maker of peace, and we express our gratitude to You for all that we have.

Oseh shalom bimromav hu ya’aseh shalom aleynu ve’al kol yisrael ve’imru amen.

May the one who makes peace in the high heavens make peace over us, over all Israel, and over the world.

XV. Elijah XV. Participant Handout #11 CD Track #13 Leader: Tradition tells us that the prophet Elijah will someday announce A Night of Questions, the coming of the Messiah, and the time of peace and freedom for all Pages 121-122 humankind. We pray that Elijah will arrive soon, in our day. Each year on Passover, we hopefully open the door to welcome Elijah.

Have someone open a door to the room, one that leads directly to the outdoors, if possible.

Leader and group sing:

Eliyahu hanavi Eliyahu hatishbi Eliyahu (3x) hagiladi. Bimherah veyameynu yavo eleynu im mashi’ach ben David (2x).

Elijah the prophet come speedily to us hailing messianic days.

Close the door. P.14

• Chad Gadya—An Only Kid (Participant Handout #12C, CD Track #16)

• Dayenu—It Would Have Been Enough (Participant Handout #7, CD Tracks #7 and #17)

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1. Candle and Wine Blessings

A. Blessing over Candles

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel yom tov. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to kindle the Passover lights.

B. Blessing over Candles on Friday Evening

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel shabbat veyom tov. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Passover lights.

C. Shehecheyanu (Prayer for Reaching this Season)

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam shehecheyanu vekiyemanu vehigi’anu lazeman hazeh. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who gave us life, and kept us strong, and brought us to this time.

D. Blessing over Wine

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam borey peri hagafen. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

2. Karpas—Dipping the Vegetable

Karpas represents spring and new growth, rebirth and the beginning of new life. We taste in this fresh vegetable all the potential in nature and in ourselves. Tonight we celebrate our growth, the flowering of our spirit and of our voices. We do not taste the vegetable alone. We dip it into salt water, recalling the tears our ancestors shed during their long years in slavery. We mix bitterness with sweetness, slavery with freedom, past with future. We live with the contrasts because we know that no moment exists without a multitude of combinations—sorrow and joy, pain and comfort, despair and hope. (from A Night of Questions)

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam borey peri ha’adamah. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, creator of the fruit of the earth.

3. The Four Questions

Mah nishtanah halaylah hazeh mikol haleylot. Shebechol haleylot anu ochlin chametz umatzah halaylah hazeh kulo matzah. Shebechol haleylot anu ochlin she’ar yerakot halaylah hazeh maror. Shebechol haleylot eyn anu matbilin afilu pa’am echat halaylah hazeh shetey fe’amim.

Shebechol haleylot anu ochlin beyn yoshvin uveyn mesubin halaylah hazeh kulanu mesubin. Why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights, we eat leavened bread or matzah; on this night, we eat only matzah. On all other nights, we eat various kinds of vegetables; on this night, we eat maror, a bitter vegetable. On all other nights, we do not dip even once; on this night, we dip twice. On all other nights, we eat either sitting up or reclining; on this night, we all recline.

4. The Four Children Tradition teaches that there are four types of children who need to learn the story of the Exodus and the traditions of the seder. These are the wise child, the wicked child, the simple child, and the child who does not know enough to ask a question. Yet we know that no child, no person, is completely wise or wicked, always simple, or never with a question. These qualities are aspects of all of us at various times. We bring our full selves, with all our complexity, to the seder this evening to experience redemption. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. H.6

5. The Story My father was a wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt with meager numbers and lived there, but there he became a great and very populous nation. The Egyptians dealt harshly with us and oppressed us; they imposed heavy labor upon us. We cried to the Eternal One, the God of our ancestors, who heard our plea and saw our plight, our misery, and our oppression. Then the Eternal One freed us from Egypt by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm and awesome power, and by signs and portents. (Deuteronomy 26:5-8) 6. The Ten Plagues

Blood Dam Frogs Tzefarde’a Lice Kinim Beasts Arov Cattle Disease Dever Boils Shechin Hail Barad Locusts Arbeh Darkness Choshech Slaying of the Firstborn Makat Bechorot

7. Dayenu-It Would Have Been Enough If God had only brought us out of Egypt, it would have been enough. But God also brought us through the wilderness. If God had only brought us through the wilderness, it would have been enough, but God also gave us Shabbat. If God had only done those things it would have been enough, but God also gave us Torah. Dayenu!

Ilu hotzi hotzianu hotzianu mimitzrayim hotzianu mimitzrayim dayenu. Day dayenu (3x) dayenu dayenu. Ilu natan natan lanu natan lanu et hashabbat natan lanu et hashabbat dayenu. Day dayenu (3x) dayenu dayenu. Ilu natan natan lanu natan lanu et hatorah natan lanu et hatorah dayenu. Day dayenu (3x) dayenu dayenu.

8. Motzi Matzah

A. Motzi

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

B. Blessing over Matzah

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al achilat matzah. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to eat matzah.

9. Maror—Eating the Bitter Herbs

Baruch atah adonay eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al achilat maror. Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to eat maror.

10. Blessing After the Meal We praise You, Holy One our God, Ruler of the universe, who has given us freedom, provided food for us and for the world, and enabled us to gather together for this seder. We praise You, Holy One our God, creator of life and maker of peace, and we express our gratitude to You for all that we have.

Oseh shalom bimromav hu ya’aseh shalom aleynu ve’al kol yisrael ve’imru amen. May the one who makes peace in the high heavens make peace over us, over all Israel, and over the world. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. H.10

11. Elijah

Eliyahu hanavi Eliyahu hatishbi Eliyahu (3x) hagiladi. Bimherah veyameynu yavo eleynu Im mashi’ach ben David (2x). Elijah the prophet come speedily to us hailing messianic days.

12. Songs A. Adir Hu—Mighty is God

Adir hu, adir hu, yivneh veyto bekarov bimheyrah bimheyrah beyameynu bekarov El beney, el beney beney veytecha bekarov

Bachur hu, gadol hu, dagul hu...

Hadur hu, vatik hu, zakay hu, chasid hu...

Tahor hu, yachid hu, kabir hu, lamud hu, melech hu, Nora hu, sagiv hu, izuz hu, podeh hu, tzadik hu...

Kadosh hu, rachum hu, shaday hu, takif hu... Mighty is God, mighty is God, may the Temple be built immediately, swiftly, swiftly in our days. O God, build the temple immediately. Chosen is God, great, renowned, glorious, faithful, just, pious, pure, unique, powerful, knowing, royal, awesome, exalted, potent, redeeming, righteous, holy, merciful, almighty, forceful.

B. Echad Mi Yodeya—Who Knows One?

Echad mi yodeya? Echad ani yodeya. Echad eloheynu shebashamayim uva’aretz. Shenayim mi yodeya? Shenayim ani yodeya. Sheney luchot habrit, echad eloheynu shebashamayim uva’aretz. Sheloshah mi yodeya? Sheloshah ani yodeya. Sheloshah avot, sheney luchot habrit, echad eloheynu shebashamayim uva’aretz. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. H.14

Sheloshah asar mi yodeya? Sheloshah asar ani yodeya. Sheloshah asar midaya, sheneym asar shivtaya, achad asar kochvaya, asarah dibraya, tishah yarchey ledah, shemonah yemey milah, shivah yemey shabata, shishah sidrey mishnah, chamishah chumshey torah, arba imahot, sheloshah avot, sheney luchot habrit, echad eloheynu shebashamayim uva’aretz. Who knows one? I know one. One is our God in heaven and on earth. Who knows two? I know two. Two are the tablets of the covenant. One is our God in heaven and on earth. Who knows three? I know three. Three are our patriarchs. Two are the tablets of the covenant. One is our God in heaven and on earth. Who knows thirteen? I know thirteen. Thirteen are the attributes of God. Twelve are the tribes of Israel. Eleven are the stars of Joseph’s dream. Ten are the commandments of Sinai. Nine are the months to childbirth. Eight are the days to circumcision. Seven are the days of the week. Six are the orders of the Mishnah. Five are the books of the Torah. Four are our matriarchs. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Three are our patriarchs. Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. H.15

Two are the tablets of the covenant. One is our God in heaven and on earth.

C. Chad Gadya—An Only Kid

Chad gadya chad gadya Dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya.

Va’ata shunra ve’achal legadya, SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: Dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya. The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. H.16

Va’ata chalba venashach leshunra, de’achal legadya, Dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya. Va’ata chutra vehikah lechalba, denashach leshunra, de’achal legadya, dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya. Va’ata hakadosh baruch hu veshachat lemalach hamavet, deshachat leshochet, deshachat letora, deshatah lemaya, dechavah lenura, desaraf lechutra, dehikah lechalba, denashach leshunra, de’achal legadya, dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya.

An only kid, an only kid. My father bought for two zuzim, an only kid, an only kid. Then came a cat and ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya. Then came a dog and bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya. Then came a stick and beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya. Then came the Holy One and killed the angel of death who killed the shochet who killed the ox that drank the water that quenched the fire that burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya. SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. H.17

D. Avadim Hayinu—We Were Slaves

Avadim hayinu hayinu atah beney chorin beney chorin Avadim hayinu atah atah beney chorin Avadim hayinu atah atah beney chorin beney chorin. We were slaves once, but now we are free.

E. Hallel—Psalm 114

Betzeyt yisra’el mimitzrayim beyt ya’akov me’am lo’ez. Hayetah yehudah lekodsho yisra’el mamshelotav. Hayam ra’ah vayanos hayarden yisov le’achor. Heharim rakedu ke’eylim geva’ot kivney tzon. Ma lecha hayam ki tanus hayarden tisov le’achor. Heharim tirkedu ke’eylim geva’ot kivney tzon. Milifney adon chuli aretz milifney eloha ya’akov. Hahofchi hatzur agam mayim chalamish lemayno mayim.

When Israel went forth out of Egypt, House of Jacob from the people of a foreign tongue, Judah became God’s holy place, Israel became God’s seat of rule. The sea beheld and fled, the Jordan turned, reversed its flow. The mountains danced about like rams, the hills, like flocks of lambs. What’s wrong with you, O Sea, that you shall flee? And you, O Jordan, that you turn around? You mountains, why do you rejoice like rams, you hills, like flocks of lambs? Tremble, Earth, before the mighty one, before the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a bubbling fount!

Demographics

1. What kind of setting is your facility? Nursing home Assisted living Retirement community Adult day care Community center 2. What percentage of the population you serve is Jewish? 80-100 percent 60-80 percent 40-60 percent 20-40 percent 0-20 percent 3. With what population was Sacred Seasons used in your setting? High-functioning, independent elders Moderately functioning elders Impaired elders 4.How many people participated in the celebration(s)? 1-10 11-25 26-40 41-60 60 or more (approximately how many?_____ )

Questions for Program Director or Supervisor

5. Who was the program leader for the Sacred Seasons program? Recreation therapist Volunteer Resident’s family member Other staff Other

6. Was the program leader Jewish? Yes No

If no, was the program leader familiar with the celebration of Passover? Yes No

7. How did you select or recruit a program leader?

8. Were the directions for the set-up of the program clear and easy to implement? Very clear Clear Somewhat unclear Unclear

9. Did the Program Leader’s Annotated Guide enable the leader to implement the program independently? He or she was: Very independent Independent Somewhat dependent Needed intensive supervision

10.Was the material easy to download off the website? Yes No Any problems?

11. How did you use the Passover materials? (may check more than one box) To implement a program before or during Passover. To conduct a Passover seder with a meal. To conduct a Passover seder without a meal.

12. Would you like to receive more Sacred Seasons materials for Jewish elders? Yes No If yes, on what topics? 1 SACRED SEASONS: Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders—A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. © 2005. All rights reserved. A Celebration of Liberation 13. Would you recommend Sacred Seasons to colleagues? Yes No

14.Would leadership training on Sacred Seasons materials be helpful? Yes No

15. What other needs do you see in your population for Jewish connection and spiritual expression?

Questions for Program Leader

16. How farmiliar were you with Passover prior to using Sacred Seasons? Very familiar Familiar Somewhat familiar Not familiar

17. How easy were the materials to use? Very easy Easy Moderately difficult Difficult

18. What might make the materials easier to use or more accessible?

19. How did the participants respond to the program?

20.What kind of participation did you notice? Singing along Leading parts of the celebration Tapping fingers or toes Demonstrating recognition or familiarity 21. Other comments or suggestions.

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Jewish Spiritual Resources for Elders A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

A Celebration of Liberation And you shall relate to your child on that day, saying, “This is done because of what the Eternal did

Jewish Spiritual for me when I came out of Egypt.” Resources for Elders —Exodus 13:8 A Project of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Additional Sacred Seasons Celebration Kits: Hanukkah Oneg Shabbat

Reconstructionist Rabbinical College 1299 Church Road Wyncote, Pennsylvania 19095 215-576-0800 www.rrc.edu