Passover Party 2025

This year, not different from all other years, we celebrated our freedom by moving into a house with 22 people and 3 dogs. What could go wrong? Bring on, Passover!

After dinner on Friday night, we helped get chametz out of the house and make space in the freezer by going on a sunset popsicle walk.


Passover pre-party continued with night swimming.

It is always exciting to reunite with family members we don't see as often.

On Saturday morning, we squeezed in 1 last popsicle walk before it was time to get busy and prepare for that night's first seder.


Last chametz meal at Torchy's!

super cool aunt and teenage nephew

Some afternoon distractions before the seder begins:



Seder time!

twinsies

introductory reading as we get started

For the first time, I (Debbie) took complete control of the Seder leading. I had the Herculean task of engaging 22 humans between the ages of 5 and 78 while diving into the experience of the Exodus, reflecting on modern oppression, singing the classics, and yes, following along in the Haggadah at times. I also mixed it up with plenty of hands-on and interactive activities, with the goal of creating two highly participatory seders. We sorted the order of events (both at the Seder and the Exodus story), matched the Hebrew word for each of the 10 plagues (while putting those in order), and connected symbols with their symbolism. I am hoping that I successfully pleased some of the people some of the time in a meaningful and memorable way.

Because we are free people, we can treat others with kindness and wash their hands for them.

Mah Nishtanah Medley

Traditionally, we read about the "4 Sons" who each connect to the story of the Exodus in different ways, and they are judged for their questions as one who is wise, wicked, simple, and does not yet know how to ask. Instead of qualifying the questions, we all took opportunities to answer the questions ourselves by walking around the room in groups, adding notes on papers hung on the wall. It was lovely to see each participant answer in their own way.






Remembering the story of the Exodus by putting picture cards in order:



More group work, sequencing the 10 plagues and matching the Hebrew with the English:


{Fill in the blank} A family who has bitter herbs contests together...______________________________.

The last food consumed at the Seder is "Tzafun," means "hidden" or concealed in Hebrew. The act of hiding and then retrieving the afikoman is symbolic of the hidden nature of the Passover sacrifice and the redemption of the Israelites from slavery. Participants were challenged to find what else is hidden within the word TZAFUN by authoring their very own TZAFUN POETRY. Here are some highlights:

Some traditional Passover songs:

The Spencer section from Seder 1:


And in conclusion for Seder 1:

It was evening; it was morning. The next day. Since most of the kitchen prep work had been done, there was time for an epic Monopoly battle.

After several grueling hours, contestants dropped out one-by-one, until the game was left with its final 2 players.

For the blog audience members paying attention to detail, you'll notice that we were excitedly expecting our remaining 2 seder guests on the day of 2nd seder, who couldn't be present on the first night. Welcome to the party, Mira and Jacob!

Afternoon family time by the pool!

#bruhzins

Prep for Seder 2 included Cousin Noah adding styling powder to all little cousins' hair.


"THE" family pictures were taken before Seder 2. 22 humans. 10 grandchildren. A lot to be grateful for.



Let Seder 2 begin!

Some smarty-pants decided it would be a good idea to seat these 4 together.

Micah didn't quite make it past the part where we sat down.

As with Seder 1, Debbie prepared a seder with an attempt to encourage interaction, engagement, and participation from many ages and experience levels.


We explored the concept of Dayenu by taking another gallery walk and considering questions about "What *is* enough?"




Not to outdo Seder 1, we have a Spencer section from Seder 2 as well:


Dessert is served:

The last food consumed at the Seder is "Tzafun," also known as the "Afikoman," derived from the Greek word "epikomon" (that which comes after or desert). The afikoman is a substitute for the Passover sacrifice, which was the last thing eaten at the Passover meal during the eras of the 1st and 2nd Temples and during the period of the Tabernacle. Participants were challenged to find what the word "AFIKOMAN" means to them by revealing creative interpretations of AFIKOMAN POETRY. Here are some highlights:

And just like that, we concluded the opening days of Passover 2025 with 2 successful seders and some very tired family members ready to return home.