Introduction

Gathered here in warmth and light,

We share in ancient stories tonight.

From hands both new and weathered with time,

We weave tradition's rich design.

For some, these customs feel like home—

The wine, the food, the sacred tome.

For others, fresh to Passover's ways,

These rituals spark wonder's blaze.

From Egypt's chains to freedom's shore,

We tell a tale told countless times before.

Yet each retelling brings insight anew,

A sparkle fresh as morning dew.

"Seder" means order, a path we'll trace

Through this evening's gathering, at our own pace.

Questions welcome, voices clear—

So ask away, all who gather here.

We'll break the matzah, sip the wine,

Taste bitter and sweet combine.

Each symbol holds a story true

Of freedom's journey, old and new.

So whether first or fiftieth year

You've joined our celebration here,

Tonight we all from Egypt flee—

Each soul discovering what it means to be free.

Let peace and joy fill every heart

As we prepare for our Seder to start.

For freedom's call still rings today,

And so we begin—now let us pray.

As we gather today to commemorate our ancestors' journey from bondage to freedom, we pause to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional territory of the __________ [insert local Indigenous nation(s)/tribe(s)], who have stewarded this land throughout the generations.

Just as we remember our own people's displacement and yearning for liberation, we recognize that we are on land where Indigenous peoples have maintained their cultural and spiritual connections despite facing oppression and displacement. Their ongoing pursuit of sovereignty reminds us that the work of freedom is continuous.

As we prepare to recite "This year we are here; next year in Jerusalem," we reflect on what it means to seek belonging while honoring those whose relationship with this land preceded us. In the spirit of Passover's call to justice and liberation, we commit to learning about, respecting, and supporting the __________ [insert local nation(s)/tribe(s)] people and their rightful connection to this place.

May our Seder's celebration of freedom inspire us to work toward justice and dignity for all peoples who still struggle for self-determination and the right to live freely on their ancestral lands.

Transform your Passover celebration into an immersive experience by hosting a Costume Seder where guests dress up as characters from the Exodus story.

The Invitation

Send invitations 4-6 weeks in advance with these key elements:

• Explain the costume concept: Guests should come dressed as a character from the Maggid (the Exodus story)
• Provide character suggestions: Moses, Miriam, Aaron, Pharaoh, the Hebrew slaves, Egyptian taskmasters, the midwives Shifra and Puah, Pharaoh's daughter, even the burning bush!
• Encourage creativity: Guests can also dress as symbolic elements like the 10 plagues, the parting sea, or matzah
• Remind guests that costumes should be respectful of the holiday's significance

Take It One Step Further

• Create a photo area with a desert backdrop or the pyramids
• Set up a costume touch-up station with additional props like:
• Shepherd's staffs (for Moses)
• Tambourines (for Miriam)
• Crown and collar (for Pharaoh)
• Simple head coverings and sashes to enhance basic costumes

Enhance the Seder Experience

• During introductions, have each guest share which character they chose and why
• When reading the corresponding parts of the Haggadah, invite costumed guests to act out their character's role
• Create character-specific discussion questions, such as:
• To "Moses": What was it like confronting Pharaoh?
• To "Miriam": How did it feel to lead the women in song?
• To "Pharaoh": What made your heart so hard?

Interactive Elements

• Award small prizes for:
• Most creative costume
• Best character portrayal
• Most historically accurate outfit
• Most innovative plague representation
• Take a group photo recreating the crossing of the Red Sea
• Have children in costume ask the Four Questions
• Create character name tags with famous quotes from the Haggadah

Tips for Success

• Have extra costume elements on hand for last-minute or forgotten costumes
• Prepare conversation starters related to each character's perspective
• Consider dietary restrictions when planning costume elements (no costume pieces that would make eating or drinking difficult)
• Document the evening with photos (with guests' permission)
• Remember that while fun, the focus should remain on the meaning of Passover

May your Costume Seder bring new energy and engagement to your Passover celebration while honoring the profound significance of the holiday!

Happy Passover!

Tonight we gather together to celebrate Passover, our holiday of freedom. We will eat a great meal together, enjoy (at least!) four glasses of wine, and tell the story of our ancestors’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. We welcome our friends and family members from other backgrounds to reflect with us on the meaning of freedom in all our lives and histories. We will consider the blessings in our lives, pledge to work harder at freeing those who still suffer, and begin to cast off the things in our own lives that oppress us.