Adapted from The Cochin Jewish Book of Sweets and Drinks

By Essie Sassoon, Bala Menon, and Kenny Salem

Serves 6-8

6 sheets matzah

4 cups water

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. masala spices (see notes), optional

1 ¼ cups sugar

¼ cup coconut oil

½ cup divided, dried, unsweetened grated coconut

Break the matzah into small pieces (1/4-to-1/2 inch in size). Set aside. In a pan combine the water, salt, spice mix, sugar and coconut oil. Stir. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in ¼ cup coconut shreds. Stir in matzah pieces. Mix well. Cook until water evaporates, stirring occasionally. Stir in an additional 2 Tbs. dried coconut. The consistency should be like a slightly wet matzah brei mixture. If too wet, add additional matzah pieces. If too dry, add water. Serve warm or room temperature sprinkled with the remaining coconut shreds.

Masala Spice Mix: Mix ¼ tsp. each ground cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger. Use ½ tsp. for this recipe (or skip the mix and just use ½ tsp cinnamon). Store leftover mix airtight and use to flavor tea, coffee, and desserts.

Optional: Serve the sweet with fresh mango, berries, or other fruit and or top with a tablespoon or two of coconut milk or cream.

This recipe is copyrighted by Faith Kramer, author of 52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen. Learn more at faithkramer.com.

NIRTZAH

At the close of the seder, we’re feeling full — of meaning and of food — and getting a little reflective on the experiences we’ve had as we look back on the stories and symbols we’ve consumed. There are a few songs and paragraphs traditionally sung or recited at the end, which both elongates the seder, and which may contain some language or premises we’re not in love with. But with so many stories and ideas between the pages of the Haggadah, we all found something to appreciate. We’re grateful to have been here, to have been embraced and accepted by the other members of our seder experience, and we marvel at how much we’ve learned about a holiday that most of us have celebrated before. When we reflect on the seder, a simple thought comes to mind: the seder was…so good.

Karaoke track (music only)

Original Cast Recording (with voices)

“For Good”

[FIRST SEDER GUEST]

Unleavened bread….

All I see is unleavened bread

And just look at us and all that we’ve been through, Seder…

And “we” means all the Jews…

And those who love Jews…

We’re at the end

And we’ve gathered here today 

for a reason

A history to relearn

As we have read (of those)

Who led us in the past

If we listen

We’ll find reasons to return

Well, I don't know if it’s four cups of wine

But these seder hours with you tonight 

all went just fine

Like a people seeking freedom

After being enslaved

Like the rabbis fighting over

The number of plagues

Who can count the things I learned at the seder?

But because I knew you

The seder was… so good.

[SECOND SEDER GUEST]

It well may be

That we disagree on tales

In the Haggadah

And I was unsure at the start 

What it would be

But I learned so much from you 

Now I feel it 

We share knowledge in our hearts

And as we finally mark this evening’s end

I hope you’ve gained new meaning 

And made some new friends

Like a newbie at the seder

With a lot to digest

When I found the afikoman

As some kind of test

Who can say if I could lead my own seder

But because I knew you

Because I knew you

[TOGETHER]

Our seder was so good…

[FIRST SEDER GUEST]

And since we’re almost done

I ask for Rolaids

Perhaps a Tums or Pepto too

[TOGETHER]

And I confess I drank and ate a ton

All in celebration of the Jews

Like a people seeking freedom

After being enslaved

Like the rabbis fighting over

The number of plagues

“Who knows one?” is at the end of the seder….

“Chad Gadya” too, is at the end of the seder…

So, until next year

So, until next year

Let us remember…

The seder was….so….good.

Makes about 2 cups

Make this spicy Yemeni sauce at least a few hours before using. Seed peppers for a milder flavor.

Ingredients:

9 oz. jalapeños, roughly chopped

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro, or 1/2 cup fresh cilantro and 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley

4 large garlic cloves, crushed and minced

2 teaspoons Instant Almost Hawaij

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground caraway seeds, optional

Instructions:

In a food processor, combine the chiles and olive oil and process until finely chopped but not puréed. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the cilantro to the food processor and process until finely chopped. Transfer the cilantro to the bowl with the chiles. Add the garlic, hawaij, salt, and caraway (if using), to the bowl and stir until combined. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

This recipe is copyrighted by Faith Kramer, author of 52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen. Learn more at faithkramer.com.

Save skins from 10 yellow or brown onions. Place 12 room-temperature large eggs in a single layer in deep pot. Top them with skins. Sprinkle a few teaspoons of black tea leaves over top. Pour in water to cover by several inches. Add 1 Tbs. white vinegar and 1 Tbs. olive oil. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Cover, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer 5 hours. Add water as needed to keep eggs covered. Cool eggs in ice water. Refrigerate unpeeled eggs for up to 7 days.

This recipe is copyrighted by Faith Kramer, author of 52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen. Learn more at faithkramer.com.

Source of Mercy, the world feels different now. Since that dark day, grief and terror have settled into our bones. We have seen too much suffering, too much loss, too many hearts broken open by pain. Hold us in Your infinite compassion. Teach us how to breathe again in a world that feels forever changed.

We remember every life torn away, every family waiting for news, every soul still held captive in body or in spirit. Bring them home, Holy One. Bring healing to those who mourn, courage to those who despair, and rest to those whose hearts can no longer carry the weight of sorrow.

Plant in us the seeds of peace. Help us see the divine image even in one another’s tears. Spread Your shelter of safety over all who dwell in fear, in Israel and in Gaza, and in every place touched by violence. Oseh shalom bimromav, may the One who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us, for our neighbors, and for this fragile, aching world. Amen.