Passover

I decided to hold a brief Passover Seder this year. The world religions class may have had something to do with it. Perhaps it was our ongoing study of the Old Testament. Or maybe we were just curious. The holiday is ancient and the first Haggadah was published in the Middle Ages so it ties in nicely with our history as well. Whatever the reason, we learned about Seder, we learned about Judaism, we learned about making a holiday a holy day and we learned that Passover can actually be a lot of fun, but it takes time to prepare. This post will be my go to resource in the future.


I asked some Jewish friends what Passover means to them today. They said it was about remembering that they had been oppressed and acknowledging that oppression still exists in our world in many forms. Additionally, the Passover reminds them that despite oppression they are still here and through unity oppression can be survived and overcome.

This is a fun story of the four sons and the four kinds of learning. It's a good place to start.

Guides
For a 3 minute Seder explained by a female Rabbi click here.
This Passover Seder guide and Haggadah will help you prepare an authentic, personal Seder.
Here is another nice one that includes recipes.
This is a one stop boutique site that will address all your Passover questions whether Jewish or Christian, young or old.

Passover Seder recipes:
matzoh to keep it kosher this has to be prepared in 18 minutes or less from the time the water touches the grain.
bitter herb or buy horseradish or substitute romaine lettuce (most common substitute), endive, green onions, curly parsley, or dandelions
charoset juice may be substituted for wine
roasted egg
vegetable Parsley or celery served with salted water
roast lamb or chicken or turkey, vegans scripturally justify red beets as substitutions, but some use tofu
wine we used grape juice

Passover songs
Ma Nishtana "Why is this night different from all other nights?"
Echad Mi Yodea Who Knows One?
Who Knows One? kids traditional
Dayenu means sufficient or it would have been enough and celebrates God's abundant blessings
Dayenu traditional
Dayenu funky
Dayenu kids this one explains the entire holiday in song format
Matzo Man downright silly
Who Let the Jews Out? short and silly