#friendseder™ 2.0

There are so many ways to go about working through your #friendseder™ evening. We’re partial to the #friendseder™ Haggadah, of course, but if you’re looking to branch out, check out Haggadot.com to try your hand at making your own guide book! And if you’re looking for a happy middle ground, we’ve compiled a few suggestions to try out at this year’s #friendseder™, or look forward to testing out in years to come.

setting the scene

It’s traditional to recline in your seat to show you’re a free person during the seder, but at #friendseder™, we take it to the next level! Don’t be afraid to move your furniture out of the way, encourage guests to bring a pillow (or three) and set up your #friendseder™ with everyone lounging on pillows on pillows (on pillows) right on the floor. Think bohemian lounge, creating a warm and inviting space for all of your #friendseder™ entertaining needs. Grab all of those throw pillows lying around and stack ‘em up and around, setting the “table” right on the floor to maximize those reclining vibes.

many ways to tell a story

Did you know the term Haggadah comes from the root of the Hebrew word meaning “to tell”? The act of going through the Haggadah, your guide book, if you will, is all to aid in telling the story of the Exodus from Egypt. In your #friendseder™ Haggadah we cover many parts of the story - the four questions, the four children, the basic story told from a few perspectives, the plagues - all in an attempt to continue down the road toward the festive evening meal. If, however, you’re looking for a few more ways to share the storytelling (“maggid”) section with your guests, we’ve got you covered. From a rap where you get to be one of the plagues, to a one act play with parts for (almost) everyone, to a modern-day Dayenu urging us to question if it actually IS enough, to a deep dive into those four sons we all know and love, to a special guest reciting those famous four questions, there’s something here for everyone.

dance break

The blessing over washing the hands literally translates to the blessing over “the raising of the hands”, so we suggest cracking some glow sticks, dimming the lights and having a dance break to any of the following songs:

Fedde Le Grand’s “Put Your Hands Up for Detroit”

Bon Jovi’s “Raise Your Hands”

Matchbox Twenty’s “Put Your Hands Up”

Sesame Street’s “Raise Your Hand”

swallowing a bitter pill

While most seder tables will have a jar of the pink stuff (horseradish, that is), or maybe a chunk of the fresh horseradish root, your #friendseder™ can up the ante with horseradish-infused vodka for the blessing over this bitter root. The simple recipe: buy a large bottle of potato vodka (it’s kosher for Passover!) and fresh horseradish root. Cut up the root and put the pieces in the bottle. Store at room temperature for at least three days (the longer you store it, the stronger the horseradish flavor will be). Put the bottle in the freezer and serve chilled. Fantastic side note: this vodka would also make a delicious Bloody Miriam anytime during Passover.